CASHEW NUTS AND IT'S BENEFITS AND LOSSES OF EATING

WHAT IS CASHEW NUTS?

The species Cashew nuts native or originally founded in Portuguese Brazil
cashew tree is a tropical evergreen tree that produces the cashew seed and the cashew apple they can up to 14 m (46 ft)
And the cashew draft, growing up to 6 m (20 ft) The cashew nut, often simply called a cashew, is widely consumed. It is eaten on its own, used in recipes.

BRIEF OF CASHEW NUTS:-

The cashew nut(seed) hangs at the bottom of the apple, and is c-shaped. The cashew seed has within the outside shell theedible kernel or nut. The nut is attached to the lower portion of the cashew apple which is conically shaped. Cashew apples and cashew nuts are excellent sources of nutrition. In its raw form the cashew kernel is soft, white and meaty.

Early rainfall of 1000 mm is sufficient
for production but 1500 to 2000 mm can be regarded as optimal. The cashew tree has a well-developed
root system and can tolerate drought conditions. Rain during the flowering season causes flower abortion
Although the cashew can withstand high
temperatures, a monthly mean of 25 °C is regarded as optimal. During harvesting, while nuts are on the ground, rain and over cast weather causes the nuts to rot or start germinatin Properly dried nuts can be stored for 2 years
before being shelled. Nuts are roasted to discharge the caustic shell oil and acrid fumes. Hand shelling is
impossible if the shell oil has not been removed previously. Kernels must be protected from
                            
contamination by the shell oil because it would cause blisters in the mouth and throat when eaten. Before
the nuts are roasted they must be soaked in water—the moisture in the shell facilitates the rupturing of the
cells containing shell oil and retaining it in the shell.
The apple is highly perishable but very healthy. It can be eaten fresh or juiced. Syrup, wine, brandy, gin,
preserved fruit, pickles and glazed fruit are also made from the cashew apple. In Brazil, fresh cashew apples are packed in trays and marketed in retail fresh produce outlets.
the cashew tree plays an important role in maintaining the ecological balance of the dry regions ofBenin, contributing to a brake against the greedy desert; valorisation of the cashew would significantly contribute to the willingness of the population to preserve this source of income andprotection.the cashew tree is multi-functional: apart from exportable cashew nuts, it supplies timber, firewood,medicines, fodder, etc.
by-products (cashew balm, cashew apple and shell) offer opportunities for development of localindustryBenin has an urgent need to diversify its exports, more than 80% of which depend on cotton.
cashews are grown in West Africa predominantly by small farmers.
the world market for cashews is dynamic, with sustained growth rates of approximately 10% per year.
once Benin had its own cashew processing industry, like many other African countries. There is onlyone factory, which has been closed for 13 years due to mismanagement and tough competition byIndian traders. These traders are aggressively seeking complementary sources of raw nut supply tofeed into their own cashew processing industry and to maintain their position as dominant supplier ofthe world market.
the nuts produced in the region are particularly appreciated for their taste

the nuts produced could receive the organic” label as they are chemical free
the main cashew nut producing countries (India, Brazil, Mozambique, and Tanzania) have all recentlyplanted new plantations which despite continued growth in world demand, could result in over production when they start to produce and  Cashew suffers from its image of thriving on the poorest soils where no other crops can give an economicreturn. As a result, the worst soils are chosen for cashew. The yield potential has never been evaluated on
good soils. In typical poor cashew sites, yields are low, even with good genetic material (Ohler 1979).The interdependence of soil conditions and water availability has been confirmed by several authors. (1991) stated that temperature, humidity and sunshine hours prevailing in different
                           
cashew growing regions in India do not appear to influence the yield of cashew as compared to rainfall
distribution. The criteria listed in Table 27 represent only the most suitable conditions. Cashew can growbeyond these and even on lateritic soils -provided there are no crusts - this crop does well. Because of this
Mathew (1984) suggests blasting lateritic crusts with explosives to make them permeable for cashewplantings. It also tolerates shallow soils (Plate 8) and altitudes up to 1000 m. However, it will not toleratestagnant water or arid conditions (mean annual rainfall <600 mm) without supplementary water supply(Ohler 1979).

The Indian standard and the Brazilian standard were combined in the ISO 6477
standard in 1988 to unity the classification for cashew kernels. The most important details are shown inTable 17. For more information NOMISMA (1994) should be consultedContrary to raw nuts, cashew kernels are traded in pounds (1b.), because of the traditional Americanmarket, Standard specifications for Indian cashew kernels have been laid down by the Indian governmentunder the Kernels are classified according tophysical properties and weight. Whole white kernels are the best, followed by splits, bits and pieces.

BENEFITS OF EATING CASHEW NUTS:-

                         
 They are packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. These include vitamins E, K, and B6, along with minerals like  selenium,  copper, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, iron, and , all of which are important for maintaining good bodily function.The more nuts, such as cashews, can lower your risk for cardiovascular disease. This may occur by reducing  “bad” cholesterol levels.

                          
Handful of cashew nuts a day in the diet would provide enough of these minerals and may help prevent deficiency diseases. Cashew nuts are abundant sources of essential minerals. Manganese, potassium, copper, iron, magnesium, zinc, and selenium are especially concentrated in them.

These nut measures about an inch in length, 1/2 inches in diameter, and kidney or bean shape, with a smooth surface and smooth curvy pointed tip. 

Protein                    18.22g32.5%

Total Fat                  43.85 g146%
Cholesterol             0 mg0%
Dietary Fiber          3.3 g8.5
Energy                    553 Kcal 28%
Carbohydrates      30.19 %
Vitamin A.             0 IU0%
Vitamin C.             0.5 mg1%
Vitamin E              5.31 mg35%
Vitamin K.            34.1 µg28%

LOSSES OF EATING CASHEW NUTS :-

Eating cashew nuts maybe profitable but if you rise to the weight gain weight nuts are moderate quality May give help to weight management but it could turn in negative when they are consumed in excesses quantity they are also good source of monounsaturated fat which keep our cardiovascular system healthy even they are dangerous for over body.