How are cashews picked?

Cashews do not grow directly from trees like other nuts, but instead from "cashew apples". These apples are not actually apples but fruit (sometimes called “drupes”) that develop from the cashew tree's flowers, which grow into the apples with a hard interior seed which is the actual cashew nut.

Below are the steps involved in picking cashews after the cashew apples are harvested:

1. Harvesting the Cashew Apples:

- Cashew trees are grown in tropical climates, and their fruit is seasonal, usually harvested between February and May

- Workers carefully handpick the ripe cashew apples from the trees, ensuring that they are at the proper stage of development.

2. Removing the Outer Shell:

- Once harvested, the cashew apples are taken to processing facilities.

- The first step is to remove the leathery outer shell of the cashew apple.

- This is typically done using special machines that split open the apple and extract the cashew nut.

3. Separating the Cashew Nut:

- The cashew nuts are then separated from the apple pulp and other components of the fruit.

- This is usually done through mechanical processes such as screening or flotation in a water bath.

4. Drying the Cashew Nuts:

- The separated cashew nuts are then dried to remove excess moisture.

- Drying can be done in various ways, such as using hot air or exposing the nuts to the sun.

5. Shelling the Cashew Nuts:

- After drying, the next step is to remove the hard shell surrounding the cashew kernels.

- This can be done either manually or through mechanical methods such as cracking or shelling machines.

6. Removing the Skin (Optional):

- In some cases, the cashew kernels are subjected to additional processing, such as removing the thin brown skin covering them.

- This is usually done through a roasting process.

7. Roasting and Salting:

- Once the cashew nuts have been shelled, they can undergo roasting and salting.

- Roasting enhances their flavor and aroma, while salting adds additional taste.

- These steps are optional and depend on the desired end product.

8. Packaging and Distribution:

- After processing, the roasted or salted cashew nuts are packaged in various forms, including cans, bags, or jars, for distribution and sale.

Cashew processing involves multiple stages to remove the raw cashew nut from the cashew apple and prepare it for consumption or further processing. The end product can be in the form of raw cashew kernels, roasted cashews, salted cashews, or incorporated into various food products like cashew butter, cashew milk, or cashew-based snacks.