ARE CASHEWS NUTS?
Introduction to Cashews
Cashews share similarities with legumes and seeds and are very nutritious and versatile. They have different flavors and culinary applications.
In the late 1500s, Portuguese colonists brought the cashew tree from Brazil to West Africa, then later to India in the 16th century. It did not take long before they noticed how useful it would be for cultivating food. When they first arrived in Mozambique, people grew cashews along the coast for erosion prevention, but later people planted trees so that they could enjoy them later.
Cashews are rich in two potent antioxidants - zeaxanthin and lutein. These two compounds absorb into the eye to protect it from UV damage which can lead to cataracts, AMD, and other vision problems. When consumed in moderation, cashews can prevent these diseases while improving eyesight.
Alcoeats provides both sweet and savory cashews. We pick the best quality nuts to coat them in exotic spices. Cashew nuts are very rich in taste, and the size of the cashew is much larger. Our raw cashews are dry-roasted and covered with exotic spices.
Botanical Classification of Cashews
Cashews come from a tropical tree formerly known as Anacardium occidentale. The cashew nut is not the fruit; it is the small kidney-shaped structure that grows under the cashew apple, also known as a drupe. Inside the fruit are edible seeds, which are called cashew nuts.
Cashew nuts are classified as drupes because they grow from a single ovary and contain only one seed. The seed and its outer shell are the fruit itself, the shell is harmful to eat because it has an acidic substance, and only the seeds are edible.
Comparison With Legumes
Raw Cashews are fruits of the plant called a drupe, often called legumes. A legume is a seed-bearing flowering plant wherein individual flowers usually come together in pods to contain one or more seeds. The pod eventually bursts open and releases its contents for consumption.
Beans and peas are among the most popular types of legumes, but peanuts provide an excellent example of a nut that is a legume. Similar to nuts such as cashews, these beans grow within a hard shell (drupe) rather than pods (like other beans).
Culinary Classification
Cashews are technically not nuts, even though we classify them as such. That is because many things about them make them similar to other nuts, like hazelnuts and chestnuts. Cashews are nuts because they share many of the same physical and nutritional properties as other nuts.
Cashews are rich in healthy fats and protein and are used as an alternative to other nuts in culinary applications. They are in trail mixes, stir-fries, granola, or nut butter. It is important to note that walnuts, almonds, pistachios, and pecans are not nuts - they are all seeds from the fruit called drupes (like cashews).
Health Benefits Of Cashew Nuts
DISCLAIMER- This blog does not provide any medical advice. It is strictly meant to be an informational and recipe blog only. Please consult a physician or medical expert on what works best for you.
- May Prevent Cardiovascular Diseases - Cashew nuts contain essential fatty acids and antioxidants, all of which contribute to heart health. They also contain phytosterols, phenolic compounds, and oleic acid, which make blood vessels stronger.
- May Lower blood pressure - Cashews are rich in healthful monounsaturated fats and minerals such as magnesium, potassium, and L-arginine. They will help reduce blood pressure dramatically by widening arteries.
- May keep bones strong - For healthy and strong bones, we need lots of minerals. Cashew nuts have all these minerals - they are rich in copper and calcium, which give strength. Copper also helps keep your joints be flexible by synthesizing collagen.
- May be Beneficial for hair - Copper in cashews helps produce melanin, enhancing your natural hair color. Essential fatty acids also may help keep your locks strong and healthy looking.
- May Improve Male Fertility - Cashews are rich in zinc, an essential mineral for improving male sperm count and fertility. Regular cashews may also help with controlling weight or diabetes - two main factors that can affect male fertility.
Summing Up On What Is Cashew Nut?
Cashews are a type of nut from South America that has a sweet taste and is easy to chew. Introduced by colonizers to Africa and India, these regions are the largest suppliers of cashews today. Cashews are among the few food sources high in copper. Cashews can be found either raw or roasted and salted or unsalted. Recently, cashews have served as an alternative to dairy products such as cashew milk, cashew-based cheese, and even sour cream. Eating a diet rich in vegetables and plants can decrease the risk of developing many diseases.
Cashew nut shells contain a resin that is potent enough to cause skin irritation, yet it has many medicinal properties. This compound can cure fungal infections found on human skin, present in coating materials and fluids for breaks. Cashews are also beneficial because they serve as an excellent form of activated carbon—a substance known primarily for its ability to absorb impurities from whatever it comes in contact with.