The cashew tree is a tropical evergreen tree native to South America in the genus Anacardium that produces the cashew seed and the cashew apple accessory fruit. Cashew’s grow on the outside of the apple, hanging from the bottom. The scientific name of cashew nuts is Anacardium occidentale L, which belongs to the family Anacardiaceous. The tree can grow as tall as 14 meter’s, but the dwarf cultivars, growing up to 6 m, prove more profitable, with earlier maturity and greater yields. It is a popular ingredient in various Indian dishes and dairy alternatives like cream and cashew milk. They have a rich nutty flavor. Cashew nuts grow on evergreen trees, native to Brazil, which later expanded to South American countries. The Portuguese introduced cashew nuts in India and Africa in the 16th century.
A single-seeded nut in a hard grey shell grows at the bottom of the cashew apple (a soft and juicy fruit). There are 33 varieties of cashew nuts identified, out of which only 26 varieties are marketed. The W-180 variety is known as the “king of cashews”. As for the nutritional composition, cashew nuts are rich in tocopherols, phytosterols, phenolic lipids and several bioactive compounds, all of which have several benefits on human health.
Nutrients of Cashew’s:-
The following nutrients composition of cashew’s for 28 grams:
Calories : 157
Fat : 12g
Sodium : 3.4mg
Carbohydrates : 8.6g
Fiber : 0.9g
Sugars : 1.7g
Protein : 5.2g
Iron : 1.9mg
Magnesium : 82.9mg
Copper : 0.6mg
Manganese : 0.5mg
Vitamin B6 : 0.1mg
Vitamin K : 9.7mcg
Benefits of Cashew’s:-
Cashews are rich in fiber, protein, and healthy fats. They also contain a variety of vitamins, minerals, and health-protective beneficial plant compounds. Similarly to nuts, cashews may promote weight loss, blood sugar control, and heart health.
