Cashew or Kaju is a
useful tree as
different parts of
it are used either
individually or
collectively to
treat several
diseases. Fresh or
hot water extract of
different plant
parts is used orally
as aphrodisiac,
antidysenteric,
antihemorrhagic, and
externally as
anti-inflammatory.
Its medicinal uses
practiced
traditionally in
different countries
are summarized below
Description
Cashew nuts are
actually seeds that
adhere to the bottom
of the cashew apple,
the fruit of the
cashew tree, which
is native to the
coastal areas of
northeastern Brazil.
Cashew apples, while
not known in the
U.S., are regarded
as delicacies in
Brazil and the
Carribean. The seed
we know as the
kidney-shaped cashew
"nut" is delicate in
flavor and firm, but
slightly spongy, in
texture.
You have probably
noticed that cashews
in the shell are not
available in stores.
This is because
these nuts are
always sold
pre-shelled since
the interior of
their shells
contains a caustic
resin, known as
cashew balm, which
must be carefully
removed before they
are fit for
consumption. This
caustic resin is
actually used in
industry to make
varnishes and
insecticides.
Cashews, known
scientifically as
Anacardium
occidentale, belong
to the same family
as the mango and
pistachio nut.
Plant Description
The cashew-nut tree
is a fast grower and
an evergreen
tropical tree. It
grows to a height of
12 m. Blossoming
takes place between
November and
January. Seedling
trees flower in the
third year after
planting. The fruit
ripens fully within
2 months.
Kaju Cashewnut in
Other Languages
Dutch
Acajoeboom,
Kasjoe
English
Cashew, Cashew
Nut
Finnish:
Cashew-Paehkinae
French
Cajou,
Noix-Cajou
Italian
Acagił,
Anacardio
Portuguese
Cajś, Caju Da
Praia
Swedish
Akajouäpple
Uses of cashew nut
The cashew nut
kernel is
constituted of three
different portions -
the shell, the
kernel and the
adhering testa
(Figure 4). The
primary product of
cashew nuts is the
kernel, which is the
edible portion of
the nut and is
consumed in three
ways:
* directly by the
consumer;
* as roasted and
salted nuts;
* in confectionery
and bakery products,
for example, finely
chopped kernels are
used in the
production of
sweets, ice creams,
cakes and
chocolates, both at
home and
industrially, and as
paste to spread on
bread.
The relative
importance of these
uses varies from
year to year and
country to country,
but it is estimated
that at least 60
percent of cashew
kernels are consumed
as salted nuts.
Separately packed
cashew nuts are a
good selling line,
mainly as an
appetiser to
cocktail drinks.
Salted cashews are
part of the snack
food market. They
compete mainly with
other nuts, although
chips, salted
popcorn and other
savoury snacks can
impinge on the nut
market. The price of
cashew nuts is much
higher than the
price of peanuts or
other snacks so that
sales must be based
on a strong taste
preference by the
consumer. Cashew
nuts are generally
considered a luxury
product, and an
element of their
appeal may lie in
this status.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
Amount Per Serving
Calories749
Calories from Fat555
% Daily Value*
Total Fat61.6g
95%
Saturated Fat10.9g
55%
Polyunsaturated Fat
11.0g
Monounsaturated Fat
33.4g
Cholesterol0mg
0%
Sodium397mg
17%
Total
Carbohydrates38.9g
13%
Dietary Fiber4.3g
17%
Sugars
6.5g
Protein
21.7g
Vitamin A 0%
Vitamin C 1%
Calcium 6%
Iron 43%
Health Benefits
Consumption of dry
fruits is in general
good for the overall
health of a human
being. Not only are
they nutritious, but
also provide energy
to the body. They
are often referred
to as the natural
health capsule. They
also possess
medicinal
properties, and have
no side effects.
Cashew nuts are a
healthy snack and
can prevent many
diseases and
ailments if taken in
moderation.
Contrary to the
general belief, nuts
are extremely good
for health and do
not lead to weight
gain if taken in
moderation. They
have a high energy
density and high
amount of dietary
fiber, which is
beneficial in weight
management
Consuming cashew
nuts ensures good
cardiovascular and
circulatory health.
They contain no
cholesterol and
provide a healthy
snack for heart
patients. They have
high amounts of
monounsaturated
fatty acids, which
help in supporting
good levels of low
good cholesterol or
the HDL
Cashew nuts have
high magnesium,
which helps protect
against high blood
pressure, muscle
spasms, migrane,
headaches, fatigue,
etc. Magnesium works
in tandem with
calcium in the body
to make healthy
bones and muscles in
the body
Cashew nuts and
almost all other
nuts are beneficial
for prevention
against the
gallstone disease.
People who regularly
consume nuts are at
a lower risk of
developing
gallstones
A few recent
researches have also
shown that the
chemicals in cashew
nuts kill positive
bacteria, which
cause tooth decay,
acne, tuberculosis
and leprosy
Cashew nuts have
high copper content,
and its consumption
helps the body
utilize Iron and
also produce
melanin, a hair and
skin pigment.
Medical Benefits
The cashew tree's
leaves and bark as
well as the popular
cashew apple possess
herbal health
benefits that
include killing
bacteria and germs,
stopping diarrhea,
drying secretions,
increasing the
libido, and reducing
fever, blood sugar,
blood pressure and
body temperature,
but unfortunately
the byproducts of
these parts of the
cashew tree are not
available in North
America and Europe,
mainly due to their
highly perishable
qualities.
The cashew nut, a
popular treat found
on grocery and
health food store
shelves across the
world, is jam-packed
with nutritional
content. It packs 5
grams of protein per
ounce and high
levels of the
essential minerals
iron, magnesium,
phosphorus, zinc,
copper and
manganese, which are
utilized in holistic
health solutions and
healthy diets.
Selection and
storage
Cashew nuts are
available in the
markets year around.
In the store, only
un-shelled cashews
are made available
since shell contains
phenolic resin,
urushiol which is a
potent skin irritant
toxin.
Different forms of
cashews are
available like raw,
salted, sweetened or
grounded etc. Buy
whole un-shelled raw
nuts instead of
processed ones. The
nuts should feature
bright ivory-white
in color, compact,
uniform in size and
feel heavy in hand.
They should be free
from cracks, molds,
and spots and free
of rancid smell.
Store unshelled nuts
inside airtight
container and place
in the refrigerator
to avoid them turn
rancid.
History
The cashew tree is
native to coastal
areas of Brazil. In
the 16th century,
Portuguese explorers
took cashew trees
from this South
American country and
introduced them into
other tropical
regions such as
India and some
African countries,
where they are now
also cultivated. The
cashew tree has
always been a prized
resource owing to
its precious wood,
cashew balm and
cashew apple, but
the cashew nut
itself did not gain
popularity until the
beginning of the
20th century. Today,
the leading
commercial producers
of cashews are
India, Brazil,
Mozambique, Tanzania
and Nigeria.
Quality Assurance
Quality has always
been one of our
major motives of our
organization. We
manufacture our
products from s
superior quality raw
materials
guarantying our
customers of our
dependability. All
our products are
checked by our
quality controllers
before they are
delivered to
clients.
Packaging
We also provide
reliable packaging
of the Cashewnut and other
Cashewnut products.
During the packaging
procedure, we keep
the hygienic level
high and also ensure
that there is no
human touch.
Moreover, the
packaging has also
helped in the easy
and safe delivery of
the products.
We are dealing with
various esteemed
clients located in
India as well as in
the markets of New
Zealand and Dubai.
We also promise to
serve a superlative
range of Cashewnut
and Cashewnut
products which
includes green
Cashewnut powder to
our new customers as
we serve to our
existing satisfied
clientele. The
frequent and
concrete feedbacks
from our customers
have also helped in
the advancement of
the managerial
activities and
serving the products
as per the demand
prevailing in the
market. Last but not
the least; we are
also looking forward
to provide more
beneficial deals in
the forthcoming
years.
Kaju Cashewnut
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2008, www.tajagroproducts.com All rights reserved.