Cashew

Where does Cashew grow?

Found in: Africa, Amazon, Andamans, Angola, Aruba, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Caribbean, Central Africa, Central America, China, Colombia, Congo DR, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, France, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Gabon, Ghana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guatemala, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Kenya, Laos, Lesser Antilles, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Marquesas, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North America, Pacific, Panama, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Sahel, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Sri Lanka, St Lucia, Suriname, Tahiti, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Torres Strait, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, West Timor, Yap, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Notes: There are 8-11 Anacardium species. They grow in tropical America. It has antioxidant, anti-diabetic and anti-ulcer properties.

Status: A major world nut. At present mainly on research stations in Papua New Guinea. It is very important in India and common in Africa. The shell contains anacordolic which affects the salivary glands and can paralyse the jaw.

Growing Cashew

Cultivation: It is usually grown from seeds. Seeds germinate poorly and slowly. Only nuts which sink in water (or a solution of 150 g of sugar in a litre of water) should be planted. Seeds are sun dried for 2-3 days to improve germination. Seeds can be sown in a nursery then transplanted or more commonly are sown directly. Trees are spaced 7-10 m apart. The crop is cross pollinated mostly by insects. It can be propagated by air layering. For good production complete fertiliser or appropriate organic material should be applied. Pruning to shape the tree is often undertaken in the first 2 or 3 years. Cashews are often planted scattered in gardens or amongst other trees. Clearing under the tree prevents fire and makes finding nuts easier. Allowing nuts to fall before harvesting ensures only ripe nuts are collected. Resin in the cashew nut shell can damage hands and discolour the nuts. Roasting the nuts before removing the kernel avoids this.

Edible Uses: The fleshy "apple" is edible but acid until very ripe. It is used for jams and drinks. It is also candied, made into chutney and pickles. The nut is eaten after good roasting. They are also pounded and used as meal. The young shoots and leaves are edible. They are picked during the rainy season and eaten fresh with hot and spicy dishes. CAUTION The oil of the nut can blister the skin till roasted. The apple is used to make spirits.

Production: Trees commence bearing after 3 years. Fruit production is seasonal. The fruiting season is normally October to January. Mature nuts are produced in 2-3 months. Yields of 80-200 kg per hectare of nuts are normal. Trees produce maximum after 10 years and trees last for about 100 years.

Nutrition Info

Cashew Photos

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