10 amazing facts about Cashews!

The cashew is a nut that grows at the end of the cashew apple in the shape of a boxing glove. Cashews, unlike other nuts, do not grow within the apple; instead, they grow on the exterior and hang from the bottom. Cashews are well-known for their delectability. But no one knows that oil extracted from the shells of cashew nuts is commonly used to combat germs, and that the same oil, known as Cashew Nutshell Liquid or CNSL, was utilised by Allied saboteurs to combat the Nazis, right?

Maybe we should offer you a crash course in cashew nut facts. Portuguese sailors brought the cashew tree to Goa, India, between 1560 and 1565. The common name for the cashew nut is Caju, which is derived from the Tupian term acaj, which literally means "nut that generates itself." From there it spread throughout Southeast Asia and eventually Africa.

Here are 10 interesting facts about Cashews-
● Cashews are grown commercially in warm, humid regions all over the world in the twenty-first century,    with India, the Ivory Coast, Vietnam, and Brazil among the top 32 cashew-producing countries.
● The cashew nut’s ‘fruit’ is known as the cashew apple. The cashew nut is the tree's true fruit, whereas the cashew apple is the nut's swelling stem.
● Cashew Nuts are high in monounsaturated fat, which has been associated with an increase in HDL 'good' cholesterol and a decrease in LDL cholesterol in several parts of the world. They have a protein content of 21%, a fat content of 46%, and a carbohydrate content of 25%.
● Cashews are high in protein and important minerals such as copper, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc, among others. Sodium is also found, but only in trace amounts.
● The cashew, Anacardium Occidentale, is a member of the Anacardiaceae family, which also contains mango and pistachio. The scientific name for the cashew, Anacardium Occidentale, refers to the shape of the cashew apple, which resembles an inverted (upside-down) heart.
● Since World War II, the shell of the cashew kernel has yielded compounds that can be employed in a variety of purposes, including lubricants, waterproofing, paints, and armaments production.
● In vegan diets, cashew nuts are frequently used as a milk or cream alternative. They can also be made into cashew cheese or cashew butter, which is comparable to peanut butter.
● Cashew oil is a dark yellow oil extracted from cashew nuts for cooking or salad dressing (typically broken chunks created during processing). The leaves or bark of cashew trees can be turned into a beverage to alleviate diarrhoea in traditional Maya medicine.
● Magnesium insufficiency can result in a variety of health problems. It not only wreaks havoc on our nerves and bones, but it also raises our blood pressure. Eating kaju on a daily basis will guarantee that you have a correct magnesium balance, which will help you avoid migraines and bodily problems in general.

With our vast assortment of big whole cashew nuts and cashew treats, we commemorate the 'bounty of Brazil' at our Kazookaa. Our cashew nuts are the best and most delicious you'll discover, whether salted or unsalted, enrobed in milk or dark chocolate, or part of one of our famous gift baskets. All of our cashew nuts, like all of our other delicious nuts, are roasted in our Cambridge, Massachusetts location before being distributed across the country and internationally. You can trust our Store to supply the greatest cashew nuts, not simply give you amazing facts about them, thanks to our commitment to delivering you the highest quality nuts and snacks and a heritage of excellence that dates back to 1929.

HOW CASHEWS ARE EXTRACTED?

The cashew nut, which was brought over from Brazil, nurtured in India, and commercialised all over the world, has become a symbol of globalisation. Continue reading to learn more about this global nut, how cashews are processed, and how Vietnam surpassed India as the world's biggest supplier.

Would you know how cashew nuts are grown and harvested, or how they look in their shell, if I asked? The irony is that most of us have no idea where our food originates from or even how it appears in its natural state. A particularly fascinating example of this is the cashew nut. Cashew nuts come from trees that produce fruit. The fruit, also known as a 'cashew apple', looks like a bell pepper and is classified as a 'false fruit.' The true fruit dangles from the bottom of the cashew apple, guarding a single seed within it, and is a master of deceit, known as a cashew nut.

HOW ARE CASHEW NUTS PROCESSED?

In India, processing has always been done by hand to assure the largest yield of undamaged kernels because whole nuts fetch a higher price at the market. Many people are unaware that cashews go through an extraordinarily complex manufacturing method before arriving in our stores neatly wrapped. This was described to me by Nazneen Kanji, an author on the subject:‘Cashews are pricey since each fruit only has one nut.

Only then may cashews be sold as raw nuts after they have been grown, harvested, separated from the false fruit, roasted, cooled, cracked open, peeled, sundried, and sorted. The amount of value created is not proportional to the amount of labour involved'.The most difficult step in the processing of cashew nuts is removing the kidney-bean-shaped nut from its shell, which is labour intensive and necessitates a competent crew, 90 percent of whom are women who are given pitiful pay. When the shell is cracked open, a highly corrosive oil known as CNS (cashew nut shell liquid) seeps out. When this oil comes into contact with the skin, it creates burns and blisters, posing health danger to workers.

THE PROCESS OF MECHANIZATION

Haven't they got machines to do this?' you might be wondering, and you'd be correct. Since the 1960s, machines have been used to shell cashews, but mechanical shelling has its own set of problems. These machines use curved blades to split the nut's hard shell in one fast action, mirroring the natural curvature of the nut. However, because shells vary in size and shape, there is no "one-blade-fits-all" solution, which means these machines frequently generate fractured kernels or CNSL-contaminated kernels. Furthermore, machines are costly and require a continuous supply of nuts to be cost-effective. Manual processing is often preferred when the odds are stacked against plant owners.

MACHINES ARE THE FUTURE SOLUTION

India was the first country to build a cashew processing business, and it dominated the market for a long period before being surpassed by Vietnam. Vietnam is now the cashew nut king, exporting significantly more than India. The country's success in mechanising the process is one of the reasons for this surge. Vietnam-developed high-tech machines have enhanced production rates while reducing the labour force. Cashew companies in Vietnam now employ considerably fewer people than they did in the past. A contemporary mill, for example, with only 30 staff can process over 50000 kg of nuts each day. This allows Vietnam to spend less on wages and pass the savings on to customers, allowing Vietnam to get a larger share of the global market.

PRODUCTION OF CASHEWS IN THE FUTURE

While switching to machines may appear to be the obvious solution, it necessitates significant investment and official support, both of which India lacks. Political leaders have also opposed mechanisation due to the loss of jobs in local areas. Local rules have made it illegal for factories to lay off workers, therefore cancelling out any cost reductions that automation would give. The state wants to nearly treble cashew farming by 2025 in order to keep its position as the second largest supplier - but until Indian firms adopt a more mechanised technique, they won't be able to compete.

Benefits of cashew nuts for pregnancy

If you are pregnant, you will get a lot of well-meaning advice regarding the food you consume. And with so much information to remember, you are bound to get overwhelmed! Before putting anything in your mouth, you will think twice and worry whether or not it is safe for consumption during pregnancy and you must have certain unanswered questions like "Can I consume cashew nuts when pregnant?" Which nuts are safe to eat during pregnancy? Which nuts should you avoid when you're pregnant? What happens if we eat cashew nuts on a regular basis? You've arrived at the right place.

Yes, it is safe to consume cashew nuts during pregnancy as long as you observe the necessary caution. It is extremely difficult to resist the rich taste and the crunchy flavour of cashew nuts. The fact that they provide such a great mix of nutrition and mouth-watering taste makes them even more alluring.

If you take a few precautions while eating cashew nuts during pregnancy, these nutritive nuts can be safely consumed without worrying about their side effects. For the healthy development of the baby, a pregnant woman needs to up her intake of calcium, vitamins, zinc, protein, carbohydrates, fibre, iron and vitamins. And cashew nuts can provide you with all these necessary nutrients. Eat cashew nuts in moderation and you will be fine.

Here are the few benefits of cashew nuts during pregnancy-

Cashew nuts will provide essential vitamins and other nutrients that your baby needs during its growing phase.

• Cashew nuts are known to prevent gum and tooth decay during pregnancy.

• Including cashew nuts in your pregnancy diet may help maintain your lipid profile levels, especially if you are prone to gestational diabetes. Ways to Include Cashew Nuts in Your Pregnancy Diet.

• Eating cashew nuts during pregnancy can contribute to your nutritional requirements. So here’s how you can include them in your pregnancy diet!

• An ideal way of consuming cashew nuts is by mixing them with other dry fruits and making a wholesome snack.

• You can add cashew nuts to your sautéed veggies at the very end for a nutty taste or add them to your breakfast cereal.

• You can add cashew nuts to a blender and make cashew nut butter, which can be consumed along with fruits and veggies as a tasty dip.

• You can add cashew nuts to your sautéed veggies at the very end for a nutty taste or add them to your breakfast cereal.

• They are an integral part of Indian, Thai, and Mediterranean cuisine and can be added to chocolates and dessert as well.

• You could add cashew nuts to a syrup which would make a wonderful topping for that breakfast pancake in the morning.

Are There Any Harmful Effects of Consuming Cashews During Pregnancy?

While cashews are packed with nutritional benefits, some women may experience certain side effects too if they eat cashew nuts in excessive amounts. If you consume more than the recommended amount, you could gain excess weight as the calorie content in cashews is quite high. Pregnant women can also face kidney and gallbladder issues if consumption exceeds normal levels. This is because cashew nuts contain oxalates that can get concentrated in your bodily fluids and trigger pregnancy complications. Precautions to Be Taken While Eating Cashew Nuts Here are some precautions you need to follow while consuming cashew nuts during pregnancy.

• Make sure you consume plain cashew nuts and not spicy ones. Salted and masala cashews have high levels of sodium in them, which must be avoided in high amounts during pregnancy.

• It is recommended to not eat more than one ounce of cashew nuts during pregnancy per day as anything more can cause uneasiness.

• Make sure you do not consume cashew nuts if you are allergic to cashew nuts. The signs of cashew nut allergy could include sneezing, coughing, skin rash, inflammation of skin and indigestion. Watch out for these signs!

• Always check with your doctor if it is okay to include cashew nuts in your daily diet during pregnancy.

Cashew nuts can provide great benefits for pregnant women as long as they are consumed in moderation. Your pregnancy journey is going to be one of the most important phases of your life, so be careful in everything you do. Take all the necessary precautions with regards to your eating habits; avoid anything that you think may harm your baby and have a healthy pregnancy!