What is the wonder about the cashew? Normally we see seed inside a fruit, but in a cashew fruit, its seed is an outside entity attached to it. Four centuries ago, when the Portuguese landed on the Indian soil, they brought with them the priceless tree nut – “Cashew”. Cashew came, conquered and took deep roots in the entire coastal region of India. Cashew found the Indian soil more congenial for its growth than its homeland. It later gained popularity as a cash crop in many parts of India as well. Today, India is the largest producer and processor of cashews, and exploring new areas for Cultivation

The nuttiest feature of cashew nut is that it is attached to the lower portion of the cashew apple which looks like its fruit; but in reality, it is the enlarged stem of the cashew tree. The cashew nut can be seen under the soft belly of the cashew apple. Together, it is one of the very fascinating sights of nature.

The English name cashew™ is derived from the Portuguese name of similar pronunciation, caju™, which in turn comes from the Tupi-Indian word acaju™. In Venezuela cashew is called merey™, but in all other Spanish speaking countries of Latin America it is called ˜maranon™, which may be derived from one of the first regions where the fruit was seen, viz the State of Maranhao in northern Brazil. Cashew originally belongs to Brazil, found well at home in Indian peninsular soils, and got exploited to the maximum benefit towards improving the rural economy and as a premier crop of Indian commerce.

Some make from the apples a beverage, though the fruit itself is scarcely edible, having an unripe flavour. At the base of the fruit hangs a sort of nut, with the shape of a kidney. As to the kernel therein, it is excellent to eat.

( Source: “Cashew” by: J.G. Ohler, “The World Cashew Economy”)