What is cashew and where does it grow?
Cashew, also known as (Anacardium occidentale), is a tropical climate plant in the gum tree family (Anarcadiaceae). It was the Portuguese who introduced this plant, whose homeland is Brazil, to the world. The most concentrated region in the world is the Equator. In the past, after the Portuguese occupation of Brazil, sailors took cashew seeds to the west African coast.
The conditions in which the cashew tree can be most productive is a rainy and humid climate, such as that of Ecuador. Thanks to the similarity of West Africa to this type of climate, cashew spreads in those lands. It spread from countries in the west of Africa such as Angola, Namibia and Gabon, to countries in eastern Africa, Kenya, Mozambique and Tanzania.
Today, cashew is also available in India, and India is one of the world's leading producers in terms of cashew production.
Why Is It So Loved?
This delicious nut, which has been on our nut shelves and plates for years, can be consumed both as raw cashews and as roasted cashews. This nut, which can be preferred according to taste, can be consumed with pleasure at any time of the day. Cashews go well with our traditional tea taste.
At the same time, you can add another flavor to your breakfasts by making cashew paste with cashews. On the other hand, cashew juice, which is not widely consumed in Turkey, is one of the flavors that should be tried.
Buy now to get the flavor of roasted cashews or raw cashews.
Properties of Cashew Tree
Cashew, which is one of the first names that come to mind when it comes to dried nuts, comes to our tables by growing on trees. This type of nut, which has a delicious taste, is actually a fruit of the cashew tree. The cashew tree is an evergreen tropical climate tree that produces cashew seeds and cashew apples.
The cashew tree is a fairly tall tree on average. These trees can grow up to 14 meters in general. It has an amorphous body that is not uniform in shape. This tree, which never sheds its leaves, is green all four seasons of the year. The leaves of the cashew tree are also spirally formed.
Leaf features are generally leathery-textured and are approximately 4-22 cm long and 2-15 cm wide. Cashew tree leaves have smooth margins. The cashew tree is also blooming.
The flowers reach an average maturity of 26 cm and emerge in the form of a cluster. As the flowers reach maturity, they begin to turn red over time.
Fruit of the Cashew Tree
The fruit of the cashew tree is not the cashew itself, as might be expected. It is formed from the shell of the cashew flower. This fruit can also be eaten and tastes very good. But it doesn't have as much reputation as the cashew itself. The fruit of the cashew tree is called "Maragon" in Central America and is sometimes referred to as the cashew apple. Another little-known name for cashew fruit is false fruit.
When mentioning the cashew, which is the nut we know, it would be a big mistake to refer to this nut variety as a fruit. The cashew in question is not the fruit of the cashew tree, but the seed part of the cashew tree. The seed part of the cashew tree is the most valuable. It grows inside the cashew fruit and takes the shape of a small kidney.
The seed of this cashew tree is also the main ingredient of the cashew nut.
Where Is the Most Cashew Grown?
Cashews are among the most important foods in the nuts sector. That's why it is produced so much. The highest cashew production in the world is in Vietnam with 22%. India takes the second place with a rate of 19% and Ivory Coast is in the third place with a rate of 18%.
What are the Nutritional Values of Cashews?
When it comes to the flavor in the nut category, it is indisputable that the nutritional value ofcashews is one of the frequently asked questions. Since cashew has a high value in terms of calories, cashew consumption should be done in a controlled manner.
Cashew, which is one of the nuts with high nutritional value, contains 550 calories in 100 grams. 100 grams of cashews consist of 32.7 grams of carbohydrates, 18.2 grams of protein and 43.8 grams of fat. It has a nutritional value rich in potassium.
3.3 grams of carbohydrate consists of dietary fibers and constitutes 13% of our daily fiber needs. It is useful for us to meet 43% of daily vitamin K needs, 73% of magnesium needs, 60% of daily phosphorus needs, and many more vitamins and useful substances.
