Yes, indeed, the cashew does have a shell. So why have most people never seen the shell? Because it’s poisonous!
 |
|
Cashews developing below |
As a member of the Anacardiaceae family, the cashew is related to poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. (Oddly enough, it’s also related to the mango.) Thus, the shell surrounding the kernel contains oil which can irritate human skin just like its annoying relatives. As you might expect, that makes the whole process of harvesting cashews a bit complicated. But let’s start from the beginning . . .
Cashews grow on large tropical evergreens with wide green leaves. Native to tropical America, these shrub-like trees can grow 30' to 40' high, and spread up to 60' wide. The nut grows on the end of a 2–4" fleshy stalk. After the nut develops, the stalk swells into a white, yellow, or red, pear-shaped "fruit" called the cashew apple. The apple itself is safe and edible raw. It’s also commonly used to make jelly, juice, and wine.
The nut, however, is not safe or edible raw. The delicious kernel is trapped within two shells, an oily outer layer and a thin hard one, which are separated by a honeycombed tissue. Because the nuts are fragile and kidney-shaped, nobody has been able to develop a method of shelling them with machines. So the nuts are actually prepared by hand. To reduce the toxicity of the cashew oil and make the shells brittle, the nuts are first roasted. Even this step is dangerous, though, because the smoke given off is also a poisonous irritant. Finally, the shells are broken away by skilled workers using wooden hammers---who must be careful not to damage the nuts within!
So the next time you pop open a can of yummy cashews with a friend, share the fascinating story behind these popular curved nuts!
Copyright © 2001 by John W. Schlim Jr.
Bet you didn't know . . . |
The cashew tree has many uses. Its timber is used to make boats, furniture, and charcoal. Its black sap is used to make a varnish that protects woodwork and books from insects. Cashew oil has a culinary value compared to olive oil. Cashawa gum (obtained from the stems) is used in pharmaceuticals. And cashew apple juice has many medicinal uses. All in all, a pretty versatile plant! |
Purdue University's Center for New Crops and
Plant Products
Handbook of Energy Crops (1983, unpublished) by James A. Duke
California Rare Fruit Growers Inc.
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition Copyright
© 2000, Columbia University Press.
|
Key Study Words |
•
Anacardiaceae
|
Send your question to us at feedback@gigglemoose.com.
If you'd like, include your name, age, town, and state, and we'll mention you
along with your question! Remember, we won't rent or sell your name or e-mail
address to third parties. We value your privacy.Is there a nature question that's been driving YOU crazy? Send it along and
we'll do our best to answer it!