Cashing In on Cashew

Cashew is a versatile, though paradoxical nut! Beginning as a poor man's crop, it ends up as the rich man's favourite snack-food all over the world. Cashew has gained significant social importance in India as a major foreign exchange earner bringing in foreign exchange of around US$ 500 million per annum. Cashew kernels are a high value luxury commodity with sales growing at a steady rate of 7% each year and there is every likelihood that the market will continue to remain strong. There is substantial potential to exploit cashew by-products, such as cashew butter from broken nuts, cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) for industrial and medicinal purposes and the juice of the cashew apple that can be processed further. Cashew is a good crop for smallholder farmers. In Mozambique cashew is considered by smallholder farmers to be one of their most lucrative crops. It requires few inputs and its harvesting does not clash with peak labour demands for other food crops. Cashew has the potential to increase the incomes of poor farmers, to create employment opportunities during harvesting and processing and to increase exports. As such, cashew nutritionally stands at par with milk, egg and meat. Cashew is a unique combination of fat, proteins, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. Cashew contains 47% of fat, but 82% of this fat is unsaturated fatty acids. The unsaturated fat content of cashew not only eliminates the possibility of the increase of cholesterol in the blood, but also balances or reduces the cholesterol level. Cashew also contains 21% proteins and 22% carbohydrates, and a right combination of amino acids, minerals and vitamins. As cashew has a very low soluble sugar content of 1%, the consumer of cashew is privileged to get a sweet taste without having to worry about excess calories. Cashew nuts do not lead to obesity and can even help to control diabetes. In short, it is a good appetizer, an excellent nerve tonic, a steady stimulant and a body builder. Like all plant products, cashews are cholesterol free. The cashew kernel is made up of three different portions - the shell, the kernel and the adhering testa. The primary product of cashew nuts is the kernel, which is the edible portion of the nut and is consumed in three ways such as directly by the consumer, as roasted and salted nut, in confectionery and bakery products for example, finely chopped kernels are used in the production of sweets, ice creams, cakes and chocolates, both at home and industrially, and as paste to spread on bread. Cashew nut is a well-balanced and natural nut and being a versatile health food there are several good reasons why small-scale growers and farmers should get involved in cashew cultivation.