Cashew trees also help combat malnutrition since their apples have a higher vitamin C than oranges. Since this fruit does not have a long shelf life, it is always consumed locally ensuring that local people benefit from its consumption. Cashew trees also serve as great windbreaks which allow farmers to protect their crops from harsh winds which ultimately lead to higher crop yields. This in turn helps ensure that the farmer can feed his family.

Cashew trees also serve as a great shade structure for families living in the tropics. Underneath their dense crowns, people relax and hold social gatherings with protection from the hot sun.

This picture shows women in Senegal extracting juice from cashew apples to make cashew wine.

CNSL is also used in the production of Cardanol and Card phenol, widely used aromatic hydrocarbons.

Ingredients for Chocolate Covered Cashews

• 1 Cup of chopped raw cashews
• 2 Cups of white chocolate chips or chocolate chips

This Recipe makes 36 cashew clusters and takes 19 minutes to make with 15 minutes of preparation time.

1. Melt the chocolate chips in either a double boiler or microwave
2. Add the nuts to the chocolate
3. Stir until the mixture is combined well
4. Drop this mixture by rounded teaspoons into 36 paper or foil candy cups
5. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving

• 1 1/2 cups salted cashew pieces
• 1 cup of sugar
• 1 cup of real butter
• 1 tablespoon of light corn syrup
• Candy Thermometer
• Wax paper
• Baking Pan

How to prepare:

This recipe makes one pound Cashew Brittle

1. In a 2-quart saucepan, combine sugar, butter, and corn syrup. Cook at low heat and stirring occasionally until candy thermometer reaches 290 degrees. This should take about 25 to 30 minutes.
2. Remove from heat
3. Then stir in cashews
4. Spread to 1/4-inch thickness on waxed paper lined baking pan
5. Let cool completely
6. Then break into pieces

Are Cashews good for you? People are always asking what nutrients are found in cashews and whether cashews are good for you and your body. This cashew related article from the American Journal of Epidemiology, describes how magnesium-rich cashews cut the risk colon cancer.

Researchers from the University of Minnesota have found that a diet rich in magnesium may help reduce the risk of developing colon cancer. As part of the Iowa Women’s Health Study, researchers followed almost 42,000 women aged 55-69 for 17 years.

After taking age, calories, other nutrients and traditional risk factors for colon cancer into account, the women with the highest intake of magnesium (more than 351 milligrams a day) had a 23% lower risk of colon cancer compared to those with the lowest intake (less than 245 milligrams a day). Magnesium intake, however had little effect on rectal cancer.

In the study, more than 90% of the women’s magnesium intakes came from food, not supplements. The current recommended intake of magnesium is 400 milligrams a day. Good sources include artichokes, avocados, bran cereal, cashews, dark chocolate, lentils, spinach and wheat germ.

Source: American Journal of Epidemiology, February 2006