NOT NUTS

WHY AREN'T CASHEWS EVER SOLD IN THEIR SHELLS LIKE OTHER NUTS?

CASHEWS AREN'T SOLD IN THEIR SHELLS BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ONE.

BUT DON'T ALL NUTS HAVE SHELLS?

YES.

THEN WHAT GIVES?

THE CASHEW IS ACTUALLY A SEED, NOT A NUT. IT IS THE SEED OF A PEAR-SHAPED FRUIT, THE CASHEW APPLE, WHICH ITSELF IS EDIBLE. THE CASHEW SEED HANGS AT THE LOWER END OF THE FRUIT, VULNERABLE AND EXPOSED. CASHEWS GROW NOT ON TREES, BUT ON TROPICAL SHRUBS.

A HARD OR LEATHERY SHELL IS WHAT DIFFERENTIATES A NUT FROM A SEED. KERNELS WITH SOFT, THIN SHELLS, SUCH AS PUMPKINS AND SUNFLOWERS, ARE PROPERLY CALLED SEEDS.

Comments

[Manoj Kumar, Kollam]

I am sorry Eddie, but your answer is more than mildly erroneous. Allow me to set the record straight.

1) Cashews are tree nuts.

The Cashewnut has a hard shell which is processed before export.

2)Cashews are not sold in shells because de-shelling the cashew is not as easy as de-shelling a almond or Walnut.

They come with a very hard outer shell which is not edible and had Cardanol which could burn your skin.

3). Cashews do grow on tree's. Some of these trees grow as big as mango trees.

4) The Skin on Cashews is like the Testa, which most nuts have i.e., Peanuts, Almonds, Walnuts, etc.

5. The Cashewnut on the tree does stick out of it's fruit. Some say that it is not a fruit at all, it is rather a enlarged stem. Either way, it is well protected by the Hard Shell and hence not vulnerable after the youngest stage of its life.

Claro?

Cheers

Manoj