Cashew is a multi-purpose tree of the Amazon, and is frequently found growing wildly
Cashew is a multi-purpose tree of the Amazon, and is frequently found growing wildly on the drier sandy soils in the dry zones of Sri lanka.The cashew nut has international appeal and market value, and even the shell around the nut is used medicinally/industrially. Cashew fruit is actually a swollen peduncle that grows behind the real fruit of the cashew nut. This large pulpy and juicy part is a pseudo-fruit with a fine taste and aroma and the cashew nut grows externally in its own kidney shaped hard shell at the end of this pseudo-fruit or peduncle. cashew kernels are obtained from cashew nuts by shelling and removing the testa. Kernels are then graded.Type and Grades(a) Cashew kernels (whole) (b) Cashew Kernels (White pieces) Specification for cashew kernelsCashew kernels shall have the characteristic shape, be white, pale ivory or light ash in colour; be reasonably free from damaged kernels and black or brown spots. They shall be completely free from rancid kernels. The kernels shall be completely free from testa. Specification for piecesLarge White piecesKernels broken into more than two pieces and not passing through a 4.75-mm sieve conforming to CS 124.Small White piecesBroken kernels smaller than those described as LWP but not passing through a 2.80-mm sieve conforming to CS 124