Cashew nut trees: description, habitat, and growth patterns
Let's talk about the cashew nut tree. This is a fascinating plant that deserves more attention. It is native to Brazil but now grows in many tropical regions around the world.
The tree itself is not very tall, reaching only about 30 feet in height, which makes it easier to harvest than other nut trees. However, it is still a challenge to get to those cashews as they are nestled in a fruit that looks like an apple.
The cashew tree has been adapted for survival in harsh conditions such as drought and poor soil quality. This makes cashew nut cultivation an ideal crop for farmers who don't have access to irrigation or fertile land.
The anatomy of a cashew fruit: what makes it unique
Now let's talk about the fruit of the cashew tree because this is where things get interesting. Unlike other fruits, the cashew "apple" (technically called a pseudo fruit) has no fleshy part. Instead, it's just a swollen stem that surrounds the actual nut.
What we refer to as 'cashews' are seeds enclosed in shells at the bottom of this swollen stem-like structure called an accessory fruit or false-fruit (not true fruits). The seeds within this structure are nuts since they have high oil content compared with most other plant-based foods.
How cashews are harvested and processed
Harvesting cashews isn't easy since each fruit only contains one nut, and they grow on small branches that can be difficult to reach. The process usually involves shaking the branches until the fruits fall off onto tarps below.
Once harvested, there are several steps involved in processing raw cashews into ones you can buy from stores or online retailers. This includes removing shells from nuts through roasting or steaming them to soften the shell and facilitate its removal.
After the nut is removed from its shell, they are packed ready for export to consuming countries. Cashews are at this stage often labelled as 'raw' since they're free from additives, but they are safe to eat without further processing or roasting.
Personally, I find the process of harvesting and processing cashews fascinating since it shows how much work goes into making this delicious snack. However, I also have concerns about cashew nuts supply chains which mask cashew nuts country of origin and create a lack of transparency regarding where did cashews originate from or where are cashews produced for end consumers. The supply chains are usually shrouded with a lot of secrecy and controlled by large trade houses involving many middlemen in the steps from tree to table; in some cases more than a dozen. It's important to support brands that use ethical sourcing practices to ensure that farmers are being paid fairly for their hard work.