CASHEW NUTS

Cashew nuts are actually the kidney-shaped seeds that adhere to the bottom of the cashew apple, the of the cashew tree (Anacardium occidentale). The cashew nut kernel itself is protected by a very strong shell that needs to be roasted or steamed for shelling. The edible part is the cashew nut kernel which is obtained after shelling. The kernel represents only around 20% of the whole cashew nut in weight.

Cashew nut exports are growing, driven mostly by consumer trends in health and wellness lifestyle. The United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Netherlands, Australia, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand and Middle East countries are currently the largest import markets and they offer good opportunities for cashew nut exporters from cashew producing countries. The growing markets of Central and Eastern Europe also offer good opportunities.

India is the largest producer and exporter of cashew kernels in the world. Over 65 per cent of the world export of cashew kernels is accounted for by India. Indian cashews are consumed in as many as 60 countries all over the world. The Indian cashew kernel is well acclaimed for its good quality, taste and appearance.

Blucrafts: the trusted cashew nuts suppliers and exporters

Our company is considered as the trusted cashew nut supplier and exporter  in India and abroad. The offered cashew nuts are known for their freshness and nutritional value. Our cashew nuts are highly acknowledged for their rich protein content and are extensively used in various cuisines. We trade in different grades of cashew nuts which refer to their size in numbers of Cashew nuts per pound: W-180, W-210, W-240, W-320 and W-400. In broken peaces we supply SWP and LWP respectively. The cashew nuts we supply are completely free from infestation, insect damage and rancidity. We offer all grades of cashew nuts at market leading prices.

Where do cashew nuts come from

The cashew tree was first exported from Brazil to Goa, India by the Portuguese between 1560 and 1564. As time evolved, the tree continued to extend its presence to both Southeast Asia and Africa where it is still grown today.

Cashews are not actually nuts, but rather fruits from the cashew tree, a large evergreen tree that thrives in tropical climates. The tree produces red flowers, which in turn produce yellow and red oval structures resembling apples. These so-called cashew apples are very juicy and pulpy, and cashew apple juice is often added to tropical fruit drinks.

However, ‘cashew apples’ are not actually fruits in a scientific sense; the real fruit of the cashew tree is the kidney-shaped formation growing at the end.

These fruits, also called drupes, are harvested and become what we know as a cashew nut. In their raw form, the outer layer of the fruit contains multiple toxins—including anacardic acid, a powerful skin irritant similar to the toxin found in poison ivy— ‘cashew poison’ that must be removed prior to eating.

Cashew nut Processing

India has been a pioneer in cashew processing and has been the first country to hit the world market with cashew nuts. The raw cashew nuts are collected from the growing areas are moved to the factories for processing.

Sun-Drying: The first step is sun-drying the raw cashews and store them in gunny bags.

Steaming: Steaming the Raw Sundried Cashew is the next step, steaming the in-shell cashews under pressure helps in making the shell loose which makes the removing process easier.

Removing the Cashew from the shell: Then the Cashew shells is spilt open longitudinally and the cashew inside is at once separated by hand.

Oven-Drying: Once the cashew kernels are removed from their shells, it is dried in an Industrial oven at a low heat for a few hours to make the skin loose which eases the peeling process.

Peeling: Then the outer skin which turns reddish after drying known as Testa is peeled off to obtain the final cashew nut after drying ready to be packaged.

Grading the Processed Cashew nuts: Grading of Processed Cashew nuts is based on the color and the way the cashew kernels are broken. The grade is decided as per the AGMARK standards.

Packing: Prefer to use equipment which can pack and seal cashew nuts hygienically through a Vacuum packing machine.

Cashew Kernel Grades we export are

Cashew kernels are graded on the basis of their size, shape, colour. A grade is denoted by two or more alphabets and a number.  The alphabets at the front represent a word descriptive of the form of cashew – W for whole, B for Broken, S for Split etc. The numbers that follow the alphabets (where present) usually represent the number of kernels per pound.