Cashew

Cashew

Cashew Anacardia occidentale, like some other members of this family contains an irritant oil, which surrounds the edible nut. The plant is an evergreen tree with leathery oval leaves and small perfumed flowers. The fruits of the Cashew tree are peculiarly shaped as the flower stalk swells up in a fleshy mass called the cashew apple which can also be eaten. The oily juice has to be removed from the cashew nuts before they are fit to eat. [CH] {FW}