Description

Cashew (Anacardium occidentale)

A tropical evergreen tree growing up to 14 m tall, cashews produce a seed and apple.  The seed is known as a nut and can be eaten on its own or processed into cashew cheese or butter.  The seed can be used in many applications including waterproofing, lubricants and paints.  The pulp of the apple can be processed into a sweet fruit drink or distilled into liquor.  Cashew grows easily, requiring very little attention once established, growing in soils that are too poor to support other crops and also growing in full sun.  The seed must be cooked before being removed from its shell.  The flavour is slightly sweet with a pleasant, bland flavour.

Medicinally, leaves are used in west Africa in the treatment of malaria.  In India and Africa they are used to treat toothache and gum problems. The fresh juice inside the shell has been used for removing warts as well as for treating ringworm, leprosy and corns and it is applied to the soles of the feet to cure cracks in the skin.  

Fun Fact: One of the components of the bark gum has insect repellent properties.