Cashew Nut

Common Name: Cashew Nut

Botanical Name: Anacardium occidentale

Family: Anacardiaceae

Origin: Northeast Brazil

Avg. Height x Width: 12' x 15'

Season: Spring - summer

Damage Temp: 30 - 32 F

The actual fruit is the nut, the "apple" is a swollen stem. Cashew "apple" is eaten fresh, candied, or stewed. They have a sweet and astringent taste, and are somewhat chewy. The nut itself is caustic until roasted, and they should be roasted outside because the fumes can be irritating. Under favorable conditions they can grow very fast, and they can fruit in just two years. The plants tolerate very poor soil and drought, but they are very cold-sensitive.