Brief Note on Collection, Grading & Processing of Raw Cashew Nut

摘要

Cashew - a native of Brazil was introduced to the world by the Portuguese. The Portuguese spread this tree to the other parts of the world where they had colonies including India. In India, Cashew was first introduced in Goa during 16th century - thethen Portuguese colony. Cashew trees were planted for preventing soil erosion, later on it was discovered that Cashew Kernels extracted out of Raw Cashew Nuts (RCN) were a valuable food ingredient. Today, India is home to the largest crop of cashews in the world. The Cashew Tree (Scientific Name - Anacardium Occidentale) produces cashew nut, a kidney shaped fruit, called the nut, born exteriorly attached to the swollen fleshy peduncle called the Cashew Apple. The cashew fruit (Figure 1) is unusual in comparison with other tree nuts since the nut is outside the fruit. It is this Raw Nut, which is used for extracting Cashew Kernels.