Cashew Nuts

Raw cashew nuts, harvested from the cashew tree, are the unprocessed seeds found outside the cashew apple. These nuts are highly nutritious, offering a rich source of healthy fats, protein, and essential minerals, making them a popular snack and ingredient in various culinary applications. Once harvested, raw cashew nuts are sun-dried and stored in gunny bags to preserve their quality.

The manufacturing process for cashew nut kernels is well-established. Stored raw cashews are boiled using steam in a boiler, which softens the cashew shell and makes it easier to extract the nut inside. Skilled laborers then use hand-operated equipment to carefully remove the shell of the steamed cashew nuts. The cashew shell itself is a valuable by-product, used to extract cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL), which has various industrial applications.

Following shell removal, the cashew kernels are dried in a cabinet dryer. The outer reddish skin, known as the testa, is then removed to obtain the final cashew nut product. The actual recovery rate of cashew nuts is approximately 30%, with the shells accounting for about 50% of the total weight and the remaining 20% representing processing losses. The cashew nuts are subsequently graded based on color and the integrity of the kernel, ensuring quality for both domestic and international markets. The demand for both raw cashew nuts and processed cashew nut kernels continues to grow, driven by health-conscious consumers and the expanding global market for premium nut products. India plays a crucial role in this industry, being a leading producer, processor, and exporter of cashew nuts, thereby contributing significantly to the global supply chain.