Cashew Nuts

What is Cashew nuts?

Cashew nuts are seeds found on the bottom of cashew apples, which are the fruits of cashew trees. The cashew tree is native to Brazil’s Amazon rain forest, which spread all over the world by Portuguese explorers. Today, it is grown in Brazil, Vietnam, and India and in many African countries.

Cashew tree bears numerous, edible, pear shaped false fruits or “accessory fruits” called "cashew apples." A small bean shaped, grey color “true fruit” is firmly adhering to lower end of these apples appearing like a clapper in the bell. This true fruit is actually a drupe, featuring hard outer shell enclosing a single edible seed or the “cashew nut.” The outer shell is roasted in the processing unit in order to destroy the resin, urushiol and then, the edible nut is extracted.

Cashew nut measures about a inch in length and 1/2 inches in diameter with kidney or bean shape, and smooth curvy pointed tip. Each nut has two equal halves as in legumes. The nuts are cream white color with firm yet delicate texture and smooth surface. Cashews have buttery texture with pleasant sweet fruity aroma.It has delicate flavor and a slightly spongy, firm texture. These seeds are related to pistachio nuts and mangoes.

Health Benefits

• Cashews are high in calories. 100 g of nuts provide 553 calories. They are packed with soluble dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals and numerous health-promoting phyto-chemicals that help protect from diseases and cancers.
• They are rich in “heart-friendly” monounsaturated fatty acids like oleic and palmitoleic acids that help to lower or bad LDL cholesterol and increase good HDL cholesterol. Research studies suggest that Mediterranean diet, which is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids helps to prevent coronary artery disease and strokes by favoring healthy blood lipid profile.
• Cashew nuts are very rich source of minerals. Minerals especially manganese, potassium, copper, iron, magnesium, zinc and selenium are concentrated in the nuts. A handful of cashew nuts a day in the diet would provide enough of these minerals and prevent deficiency diseases. Selenium is an important micronutrient, which functions as co-factor for antioxidant enzymes such as Glutathione peroxidases, one of the most powerful antioxidant in the body. Copper is a cofactor for many vital enzymes, including cytochrome c-oxidase and superoxide dismutase (other minerals function as co-factors for this enzyme are manganese and zinc). Zinc is a co-factor in many enzymes that regulate growth and development, sperm generation, digestion and nucleic acid synthesis.
• Cashews are also rich in many essential vitamins such as pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine (vitamin B-6), riboflavin, and thiamin (vitamin B-1). These vitamins are essential in the sense that our body requires them from external sources to replenish and essential for metabolism of protein, fat, and carbohydrates at cellular levels.
• In addition, the nuts are also containing small amount of Zea-xanthin, an important flavonoid antioxidant, which selectively absorbed into the retinal macula lutea in the eyes. It is thought to provide antioxidant and protective UV ray filtering functions and helps prevent age related macular degeneration (ARMD) in the elderly.
  
  
  

Medical disclaimer:

The information and reference guides in this website are intended solely for the general information for the reader. It is not to be used to diagnose health problems or for treatment purposes. It is not a substitute for medical care provided by a licensed and qualified health professional. Please consult your health care provider for any advice on medications.

Names In Other Languages for Cashew Nuts(Arabic, Assamese, Bengali,Chinese, French, German, Gujarati,Hindi, Kannada, Malay, Malayalam, Oriya, Sinhala, Spanish, Tamil, Telugu, Turkish, Urdu):

Nutritional value

NUTRITION INFORMATION

Amounts per 1 ounce (28g)

Calorie Information Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV Calories 155 (649 kJ) 8%   From Carbohydrate 34.4 (144 kJ)   From Fat 103 (431 kJ)   From Protein 17.7 (74.1 kJ)   From Alcohol ~ (0.0 kJ) Carbohydrates Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV Total Carbohydrate 9.2 g 3% Dietary Fiber 0.9 g 4% Starch 6.6 g Sugars 1.7 g Fats & Fatty Acids Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV Total Fat 12.3 g 19% Saturated Fat 2.2 g 11% Monounsaturated Fat 6.7 g Polyunsaturated Fat 2.2 g Total trans fatty acids ~ Total trans-monoenoic fatty acids ~ Total trans-polyenoic fatty acids ~ Total Omega-3 fatty acids 17.4 mg Total Omega-6 fatty acids 2179 mg Learn more about these fatty acids and their equivalent names

Protein & Amino Acids Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV Protein 5.1 g 10% Vitamins Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV Vitamin A 0.0 IU 0% Vitamin C 0.1 mg 0% Vitamin D ~ ~ Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol) 0.3 mg 1% Vitamin K 9.5 mcg 12% Thiamin 0.1 mg 8% Riboflavin 0.0 mg 1% Niacin 0.3 mg 1% Vitamin B6 0.1 mg 6% Folate 7.0 mcg 2% Vitamin B12 0.0 mcg 0% Pantothenic Acid 0.2 mg 2% Choline ~ Betaine ~ Minerals Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV Calcium 10.4 mg 1% Iron 1.9 mg 10% Magnesium 81.8 mg 20% Phosphorus 166 mg 17% Potassium 185 mg 5% Sodium 3.4 mg 0% Zinc 1.6 mg 11% Copper 0.6 mg 31% Manganese 0.5 mg 23% Selenium 5.6 mcg 8% Fluoride ~ Sterols Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV Cholesterol 0.0 mg 0% Phytosterols ~ Other Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV Alcohol 0.0 g Water 1.5 g Ash 0.7 g Caffeine ~ Theobromine ~

Footnotes for Nuts, cashew nuts, raw

Source: Nutrient data for this listing was provided by USDA SR-21. Each "~" indicates a missing or incomplete value.

Percent Daily Values (%DV) are for adults or children aged 4 or older, and are based on a 2,000 calorie reference diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower based on your individual needs.

Nutrition Data's Opinion, Completeness Score™, Fullness Factor™, Rating, Estimated Glycemic Load (eGL), and Better Choices Substitutions™ are editorial opinions of NutritionData.com, given without warranty, and are not intended to replace the advice of a nutritionist or health-care professional. Nutrition Data's opinions and ratings are based on weighted averages of the nutrient densities of those nutrients for which the FDA has established Daily Values, and do not consider other nutrients that may be important to your health or take into account your individual needs. Consequently, Nutrition Data's higher-rated foods may not necessarily be healthier for you than lower-rated ones. All foods, regardless of their rating, have the potential to play an important role in your diet.

The Amino Acid Score has not been corrected for digestibility, which could reduce its value.

IF Rating™ is a trademark of Monica Reinagel. Data for the IF Rating was provided by inflammationfactor.com

Read More http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/nut-and-seed-products/3095/1#ixzz27xVgTiDW

Cashew Nuts  Substitute

Normally I use Almonds or Coconut in place of cashew nuts

Where it can be used

• Cashews are eaten as a snack either on its own, salted or sweetened.

• Cashews are nutty yet pleasantly sweet in taste. They are relished as garnish in sweets and desserts.

• Cashews, along with almonds and other dry fruits are being used in various rice dishes hyderbadi-biriyani, rice-pulao...etc, and in curry (kaaju-shahi-paneer) preparations in Indian, Pakistani and Middle East regions.

• The nuts are widely used in confectionery, as an addition to biscuits, sweets and cakes.

• "Cashew apples" are among popular fruits; eaten on their own in many regions of the world. They are also being used to make liquors.

• Where the recipe calls for Coconut replace it with cashewnut to give nutty and creamy taste

How to Store

Cashew nuts are available in the markets year around. Different forms of cashews are available; raw, salted, sweetened or ground...etc. Buy shelled nuts that are bright cream-white in color, compact, uniform in size and feel heavy in hand. They should be free from cracks, mold, and spots and free of rancid smell. 

Store shelled nuts inside airtight container and place in the refrigerator to avoid them turn rancid. Under ideal conditions, fresh nuts should last for 5-6 months.

Recipe Using  Cashew Nuts(Here I list only main dishes.. but Cashew Nuts an be used in lot of dishes for decoration or just to add little flavour)

https://kitchensrecipe.com/?s=Cashew+Nuts