Where Do Cashews Come From?
Where Do Cashews Come From?
A nut with a not-so-nutty origin! have you ever wondered where and how cashew nuts are grown?
At Snack 'n Dash, we love our cashews — and we know you do too! Creamy, crunchy, and oh-so-satisfying, cashews are one of our most-loved snacks. But have you ever wondered where they actually come from?
Surprisingly, cashews don’t grow inside a shell underground like peanuts or dangle in clusters like almonds. Instead, they have one of the most fascinating origin stories in the nut world.
🌴 It All Starts with the Cashew Tree
Cashews grow on the cashew tree (Anacardium occidentale), a tropical plant originally native to Brazil. Today, you’ll find cashew trees flourishing in countries like India, Vietnam, Nigeria, and Ivory Coast, which are among the world’s top producers.
🍐 Meet the Cashew Apple
The tree produces a colorful, pear-shaped fruit called the cashew apple. It’s juicy, sweet, and high in vitamin C — though it’s mostly eaten locally due to its delicate nature. But the true star is what’s attached to the bottom of the fruit…
🥜 The Nut That Isn’t Really a Nut
That’s right — the “nut” we know and love is actually the seed of the cashew apple! It grows outside the fruit in a hard, crescent-shaped shell, which contains a toxic oil called urushiol (the same substance found in poison ivy).
Because of this, cashews must be roasted and processed carefully, usually by hand, to remove the shell and toxic layer. That’s why you’ll almost never see “raw” cashews in their natural form.
🛠️ A Labor of Love
Harvesting and processing cashews is a labor-intensive process. From hand-picking to heat-treating and shelling, it takes time and effort to ensure each nut is safe and snack-ready. This process is one reason cashews are a bit pricier than other nuts — but once you taste them, you know they’re worth every cent.
🧠 Health Bonus!
Cashews aren’t just tasty — they’re packed with healthy fats, plant-based protein, magnesium, and copper, which support heart health, brain function, and energy production. That makes them a snack that’s both delicious and nutritious.
🛒 Ready to Snack on Nature’s Hidden Gem?
Now that you know where cashews come from (and how much care goes into each one), why not treat yourself to a fresh batch? Whether you love them raw, salted, roasted, or coated in something sweet — we've got the perfect crunch for every craving.
