Naturally Healthy
Cashews have long been considered a superfood and are a great source of protein. Other benefits include:
- Contain vitamins E, K and B-6
- High in calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium and folate
- Can reduce blood pressure and cholesterol
- Contain copper and iron helping to optimise blood health
- Contain anti-oxidants such lutein and zeaxanthin
- Contain good, healthy fats
A suprising start to life
You guessed it, that picture is of growing cashew nuts.
The cashew nut actually grows out of the peduncle more commonly known as a cashew apple. The nut grows first and is technically the fruit of the tree, the apple only develops closer to the ripening of the nut. Cashews are native to North-Eastern Brazil, however, during the 16th century, Portuguese traders introduced it to Mozambique and coastal India as a soil retainer to prevent erosion on the coast. The cashew tree flourished and ran wild, forming extensive forests in these areas and on nearby islands. It eventually dispersed into Eastern Africa and the tropical lowlands of North and South America. The cashew apple reigned supreme in most places, whilst the cashew nuts were discarded due to their shell.
Today, the most developed infrastructure for cashew nut extraction is in the native country, Brazil.
The apples are now most popular in the countries that they are grown, usually preserved in syrup or turned into alcohol. The nut, on the other hand, has taken the world by storm.
cashew apple, cashew nuts growing, natural cashews