The cashew plant (Anacardium occidentale) is a tropical evergreen tree or shrub native to northeastern Brazil but now widely cultivated in tropical regions around the world. It is known for producing cashew nuts and cashew apples.
Botanical Description
Family: Anacardiaceae (the same family as mangoes and poison ivy)
Type: Evergreen tree or large shrub
Height: Typically 5–12 meters (16–40 feet), though dwarf varieties are shorter and easier to harvest
Lifespan: Can live up to 30–40 years under proper cultivation
Key Features
Leaves
Shape: Oval or obovate (egg-shaped)
Size: 10–20 cm long
Texture: Leathery and thick with smooth edges
Arrangement: Alternate
Flowers
Color: Small, pale green to pinkish-red
Type: Panicles (clusters)
Gender: Mostly bisexual, some male flowers present
Fruit
Cashew Apple (pseudofruit):
Color: Yellow, red, or orange when ripe
Texture: Juicy and fibrous
Taste: Sweet and slightly astringent
Use: Eaten fresh or used in juices, jams, and alcohol (e.g., feni in Goa, India)
Cashew Nut (true fruit, actually a seed):
Location: Attached to the bottom of the cashew apple
Shell: Hard, kidney-shaped shell containing caustic oil (anacardic acid)
Processing: Must be roasted or steamed to remove toxic shell oil before eating
Growing Conditions
Climate: Tropical to subtropical; frost-sensitive
Soil: Well-drained sandy or lateritic soils; tolerant of poor soil
Sunlight: Full sun
Water: Drought-tolerant once established, but better yields with moderate watering
Uses
Cashew Nuts: Eaten as snacks, used in cooking and baking, high in protein and healthy fats
Cashew Apple: Used for juice, fermented drinks, and livestock feed
Timber: Wood used for low-grade furniture or firewood
Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL): Used in industrial applications like brake linings and paints
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