• Scientific Name: Anacardium occidentale L.
• Family: Anacardiaceae
• Origin: Brazil
• Varieties: None

The Cashew tree, a native of Brazil, was taken to both Africa and Asia by Spanish and Portuguese explorers in the 16^th century. The cashew is a close relative of mangos, pistachios, poison ivy and poison oak. In tropical America (except Brazil), the apple is the more value crop; the nuts are often discarded because of processing difficulties. The fruit is either preserved in syrup or candied, and the juice is used in beverages, as well as for wine making and for making distilled liquor. In Asia, the nut is the valued part and the apples are often left on the ground to be eaten by animals. Roasted cashew nuts are highly prized as a snack food throughout the world, and also used as ingredient in some dishes. The processing of cashew must be done with care as they have two shells - an outer hard one and an inner papery one - and the space between the two contains acaustic, inflammable oil. Roasting the nuts over an open fire in the traditional manner can result in the inhalation of poisonous fumes. The modern methods are much safer as the nuts are roasted, shelled, peeled and graded mechanically, and the valuable oil can be collected.

Edible Products obtain from Cashew Tree:

• Cashew apple (red or yellow, and soft and juicy, when ripe) - which is not a proper fruit , but is actually the swollen stalk and attached to it at the base,
• Cashew nut is the kidney-shaped nut, which is the true fruit.

Medicinal Uses: The leaves, bark and apple are used in traditional medicine.

• Cashew apple juice contains vitamin C which is an effective anti-scurvy agent.
• The juice is also used to treat tonsillitis, dysentery, and influenza.
• The apple is believed to have antitumor properties.
• Decoction of the bark is used to treat diarrhea and thrush,
• Leaf decoction is gargled for a sore throat.
• The mature leaves are applied in cases of skin problem, and inflammation like burns.
• A decoction of the bark of cashew tree is used against diarrhea, diabetes, syphilis, swelling and ulceration in the mouth.

• Cashew nut possesses astringent qualities that are now used in topical creams for warts, moles and other skin growths.

Nutrient Content of Cashew: protein, high levels of the essential minerals iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper and manganese

Other uses of Cashew Tree:

• The timber of cashew tree is used in furniture making, boat building and for charcoal making.
• The bark is used in tanning as well as medicinally.
• The clear gum tapped from the bark is used by the pharmaceutical industry.
• Nut shell oil is use as lubricant, as insecticide, and in plastic production.
• Cashew apple juice and skin are used in skincare products.
• The juice, which turns black on exposure to air, also provides an indelible ink.