No, cashews do not grow in the ground. Unlike peanuts or potatoes, cashews originate from a distinctive part of the cashew tree, specifically attached to a fruit that hangs from its branches.
How Cashews Truly Grow
Cashews have a unique growth habit that often surprises those unfamiliar with their cultivation. They are not root vegetables or underground nuts, but rather an appendage to a larger, fleshy fruit known as the cashew apple.
The Cashew Apple Connection
The actual cashew nut grows at the bottom of a colorful, pear-shaped fruit called the cashew apple. This fruit, vibrant in shades of red or yellow, dangles from the branches of the cashew tree (Anacardium occidentale). The cashew nut itself, enclosed within a hard shell, is technically a drupe (a type of fruit with a fleshy exterior and a single seed enclosed in a hard endocarp), but it is botanically separate from the cashew apple.
The cashew apple is often referred to as an "accessory fruit" because the true fruit is actually the cashew nut itself. While the cashew apple is edible and used in various beverages and dishes in some regions, it is generally not consumed in many parts of the world due to its delicate nature and astringent taste. The valuable nut, however, undergoes a significant processing journey after being separated from the cashew apple.
What is a Cashew Apple?
The cashew apple is the fleshy, swollen stem that forms above the actual cashew nut. It ripens into a sweet, tangy fruit that can be eaten fresh, juiced, or used to make jams and vinegars. However, its shelf life is very short, which is why it's not widely distributed globally.
Cashew Tree Habitat
Cashew trees are tropical evergreen trees native to northeastern Brazil, but they are now widely cultivated in many tropical regions around the world, including Vietnam, India, and parts of Africa. They thrive in warm, humid climates and can grow quite large, reaching up to 14 meters (46 feet) in height.
| Aspect | Common Misconception | Reality of Cashew Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Location of Growth | In the ground, like peanuts or potatoes | On a tree, attached to a fruit called the cashew apple |
| Harvesting Method | Digging up from soil | Picking the nuts (and apples) from branches |
| Part Consumed | The entire plant (e.g., potato) | The nut (the cashew apple is generally not eaten) |
Harvesting and Processing
Once mature, the cashew apples fall from the tree, or are picked. The cashew nut, still encased in its tough outer shell, is then carefully separated from the apple. The raw cashew shell contains a caustic liquid called cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL), which can cause skin irritation. This is why raw cashews are never sold directly to consumers in their unprocessed state.
The processing typically involves roasting or steaming the nuts to neutralize the CNSL, making them safe to handle and consume. After this, the shells are cracked open to reveal the familiar creamy-white cashew nut inside, which is then dried, peeled, and ready for market.
Understanding this unique growth process helps appreciate why cashews are often more expensive than some other nuts, given the intricate harvesting and processing steps involved.
