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|common_name=Cashew
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{{Inc|
Anacardium occidentale, Linn. Cashew. Fig. 192. A large, spreading tree with milky juice, very impatient of frost, and therefore adaptable only to extreme S. Fla. in the U. S. : Lvs. oval or obovate, rounded, or even emarginate at the top : fls. rosy- tinted, fragrant, in clusters terminating the young branches: nut kidney-shaped or heart- shaped, the size of a large bean, the kernel edible. This nut (about 1 in. long) is borne on a fleshy receptacle (the cashew apple. Fig. 33) which is about 3 in. high when mature, white to yellow and red, and is sweetish-sour and edible. Gn. 11, p. 211.— A vinous liquor is made from the apple. The kernel of the nut yields oil, and is edible when roasted; the shell of the nut is exceedingly acrid, even the fumes from the roasting being highly irritant. The tree yields a gum which is the basis of a varnish, being used to protect books and woodwork from the ravages of white ante and other insects. The tree grows 20-40 ft. high. Sometimes grown under glass in collections of economic plants; prop, then by cuttings of mature wood with Lvs. retained.
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{{Taxobox
{{Taxobox
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The '''Cashew''' (''Anacardium occidentale''; [[syn.]] ''Anacardium curatellifolium'' [[A.St.-Hil.]]) is a [[tree]] in the [[flowering plant]] family [[Anacardiaceae]]. The [[plant]] is native to northeastern [[Brazil]], where it is called by its [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] name ''Caju'' (the fruit) or ''Cajueiro'' (the tree). It is now widely grown in [[tropics|tropical]] [[climate]]s for its cashew "nuts" (see below) and cashew apples.
The '''Cashew''' (''Anacardium occidentale''; [[syn.]] ''Anacardium curatellifolium'' [[A.St.-Hil.]]) is a [[tree]] in the [[flowering plant]] family [[Anacardiaceae]]. The [[plant]] is native to northeastern [[Brazil]], where it is called by its [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] name ''Caju'' (the fruit) or ''Cajueiro'' (the tree). It is now widely grown in [[tropics|tropical]] [[climate]]s for its cashew "nuts" (see below) and cashew apples.
[[Image:Koeh-010.jpg|left|thumb|180px|'Anacardium occidentale', from Koehler's 'Medicinal-Plants' (1887)]]
[[Image:Koeh-010.jpg|left|thumb|180px|'Anacardium occidentale', from Koehler's 'Medicinal-Plants' (1887)]]
It is a small [[evergreen]] tree growing to 10-12 m tall, with a short, often irregularly-shaped trunk. The [[leaf|leaves]] are spirally arranged, leathery textured, elliptic to obovate, 4-22 cm long and 2-15 cm broad, with a smooth margin. The [[flower]]s are produced in a [[panicle]] or [[corymb]] up to 26 cm long, each flower small, pale green at first then turning reddish, with five slender, acute petals 7-15 mm long.
It is a small [[evergreen]] tree growing to 10-12 m tall, with a short, often irregularly-shaped trunk. The [[leaf|leaves]] are spirally arranged, leathery textured, elliptic to obovate, 4-22 cm long and 2-15 cm broad, with a smooth margin. The [[flower]]s are produced in a [[panicle]] or [[corymb]] up to 26 cm long, each flower small, pale green at first then turning reddish, with five slender, acute petals 7-15 mm long.
What appears to be the [[fruit]] of the cashew tree is an oval or pear-shaped [[accessory fruit]] or false fruit that develops from the receptacle of the cashew flower. Called the '''cashew apple''', better known in Central America as "'''marañón'''", it ripens into a yellow and/or red structure about 5–11 cm long.
What appears to be the [[fruit]] of the cashew tree is an oval or pear-shaped [[accessory fruit]] or false fruit that develops from the receptacle of the cashew flower. Called the '''cashew apple''', better known in Central America as "'''marañón'''", it ripens into a yellow and/or red structure about 5–11 cm long.
The true fruit of the cashew tree is a kidney or boxing-glove shaped [[drupe]] that grows at the end of the pseudofruit. Actually, the drupe develops first on the tree, and then the [[Peduncle (botany)|peduncle]] expands into the pseudofruit. Within the true fruit is a single [[seed]], the '''cashew nut'''. Although a [[nut (fruit)|nut]] in the culinary sense, in the [[botany|botanical]] sense the fruit of the cashew is a seed. However, the true fruit is classified as a nut by some botanists. The seed is surrounded by a double shell containing a caustic phenolic resin, [[urushiol]], a potent skin irritant [[toxin]] (also found in the related [[Poison-ivy (plant)|poison-ivy]]). Some people are allergic to cashews, but cashews are a less frequent [[allergen]] than some other nuts.
The true fruit of the cashew tree is a kidney or boxing-glove shaped [[drupe]] that grows at the end of the pseudofruit. Actually, the drupe develops first on the tree, and then the [[Peduncle (botany)|peduncle]] expands into the pseudofruit. Within the true fruit is a single [[seed]], the '''cashew nut'''. Although a [[nut (fruit)|nut]] in the culinary sense, in the [[botany|botanical]] sense the fruit of the cashew is a seed. However, the true fruit is classified as a nut by some botanists. The seed is surrounded by a double shell containing a caustic phenolic resin, [[urushiol]], a potent skin irritant [[toxin]] (also found in the related [[Poison-ivy (plant)|poison-ivy]]). Some people are allergic to cashews, but cashews are a less frequent [[allergen]] than some other nuts.
The cashew apple is used for its juicy but acidic pulp, which can be eaten raw or used in the production of [[jam]], [[chutney]], or various beverages. Depending on local customs, its juice is also processed and distilled into [[liquor]] or consumed diluted and sugared as a refreshing drink, [[Cajuína]]. Ripe cashew apples also make good [[caipirinha]]. In [[Goa]], India, the cashew apple is the source of juicy pulp used to prepare ''[[fenny]]'', a locally popular distilled liquor. The cashew apple contains much [[tannin]] and is very perishable. For this reason, in many parts of the world, the false fruit is simply discarded after removal of the cashew nut.
The cashew apple is used for its juicy but acidic pulp, which can be eaten raw or used in the production of [[jam]], [[chutney]], or various beverages. Depending on local customs, its juice is also processed and distilled into [[liquor]] or consumed diluted and sugared as a refreshing drink, [[Cajuína]]. Ripe cashew apples also make good [[caipirinha]]. In [[Goa]], India, the cashew apple is the source of juicy pulp used to prepare ''[[fenny]]'', a locally popular distilled liquor. The cashew apple contains much [[tannin]] and is very perishable. For this reason, in many parts of the world, the false fruit is simply discarded after removal of the cashew nut.
The urushiol must be removed from the dark green nut shells before the seed inside is processed for consumption; this is done by shelling the nuts, a somewhat hazardous process, and exceedingly painful skin rashes (similar to poison-ivy rashes) among processing workers are common. In India urushiol is traditionally used to control tamed elephants by its [[mahout]] (rider or keeper). The so-called "raw cashews" available in health food shops have been cooked but not roasted or browned.
The urushiol must be removed from the dark green nut shells before the seed inside is processed for consumption; this is done by shelling the nuts, a somewhat hazardous process, and exceedingly painful skin rashes (similar to poison-ivy rashes) among processing workers are common. In India urushiol is traditionally used to control tamed elephants by its [[mahout]] (rider or keeper). The so-called "raw cashews" available in health food shops have been cooked but not roasted or browned.
Cashew nuts are a common ingredient in [[Asian cuisine|Asian cooking]]. They can also be ground into a spread called cashew butter similar to [[peanut butter]]. Cashews have a very high [[Vegetable oil|oil]] content, and they are used in some other nut butters to add extra oil. In an off-the-shelf package of cashews found in the [[United States]], a 30-gram serving contained 180 calories (750 kilojoules), 70% of which was fat.
Cashew nuts are a common ingredient in [[Asian cuisine|Asian cooking]]. They can also be ground into a spread called cashew butter similar to [[peanut butter]]. Cashews have a very high [[Vegetable oil|oil]] content, and they are used in some other nut butters to add extra oil. In an off-the-shelf package of cashews found in the [[United States]], a 30-gram serving contained 180 calories (750 kilojoules), 70% of which was fat.
{{Commons|Anacardium occidentale}}
{{Commons|Anacardium occidentale}}
*[http://www.anacardium.info Anacardium.info] is a cashew portal with more than 200 documents available. Presentation in French, most documents in English
*[http://www.anacardium.info Anacardium.info] is a cashew portal with more than 200 documents available. Presentation in French, most documents in English
* [http://www.eastwind.org East Wind Community] An intentional egalitarian community in Missouri that produces various natural and organic nut butters, including roasted and raw cashew butter.Its also known as "Godambi" in Kannada, a South Indian Language
* [http://www.eastwind.org East Wind Community] An intentional egalitarian community in Missouri that produces various natural and organic nut butters, including roasted and raw cashew butter.Its also known as "Godambi" in Kannada, a South Indian Language
*[http://www.crnindia.com/commodity/cashew.html Cashew industry overview 2005]
*[http://www.crnindia.com/commodity/cashew.html Cashew industry overview 2005]
