Ah, cashew nuts 🥜—delicious, buttery, and super versatile! Here’s a thorough overview:
Cashew Nuts
1. Description
- Cashews are kidney-shaped nuts with a soft, buttery texture.
- They grow on the cashew tree (Anacardium occidentale), primarily in tropical regions like India, Vietnam, and Brazil.
- The shell contains a toxic resin (anacardic acid), so they are always sold shelled and roasted.
2. Nutritional Highlights (per 1 oz / 28 g)
- Calories: ~157
- Protein: 5 g
- Fat: 12 g (mostly healthy unsaturated fats)
- Carbs: 9 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Rich in magnesium, copper, and phosphorus
3. Culinary Uses
- Snacks: Roasted, salted, or honey-roasted cashews.
- Cooking: Cashew butter, cashew milk, or chopped into stir-fries and salads.
- Baking: Cookies, granola bars, and desserts like cashew fudge.
- Sauces: Creamy cashew-based sauces for vegan dishes.
4. Tips
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container; they can turn rancid due to high oil content.
- Roasting: Toss raw cashews with a bit of oil and roast at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes for extra flavor.
- Soaking: Soaked cashews blend into creamy sauces or vegan cheese.
If you want, I can give you a quick recipe using cashews—like honey cashew chicken, cashew brittle, or cashew butter energy bites 😏
Do you want a sweet or savory cashew recipe?
