Cashew Anacardium occidentale 5 Seeds USA Company

Anacardium occidentale, commonly known as the cashew tree, is a tropical evergreen tree that is native to the Americas. The tree is well-known for its cashew nuts and cashew apples. Here are some key features and information about Anacardium occidentale:

Description: The cashew tree is a medium-sized evergreen tree that can reach heights of 10 to 12 meters (33 to 39 feet). It has a short, usually irregularly shaped trunk, and its branches spread widely.

Leaves: The leaves of Anacardium occidentale are simple, leathery, and elliptical, with a smooth margin. They are arranged alternately on the branches.

Cashew Nut: The cashew nut is the seed of the cashew tree and is attached to the bottom of the cashew apple. It is encased in a hard, double shell that contains an allergenic phenolic resin. Proper processing is required to remove this resin before the nuts can be consumed.

Cashew Apple: The cashew apple is a pear-shaped swollen stem that develops from the receptacle of the cashew flower. It is often juicy, sweet, and can be consumed fresh or used to make beverages like juice or liquor.

Flowers: The cashew tree produces small, greenish or yellowish flowers. The flowers are typically bisexual, and the fruit (cashew apple) develops after pollination.

Habitat: Cashew trees thrive in tropical climates with well-distributed rainfall. They are found in regions with a distinct dry season, and they are grown commercially in various tropical countries around the world.

Culinary Uses: Cashew nuts are widely consumed as a snack and are also used in cooking, baking, and as an ingredient in various dishes. Cashew apples can be eaten fresh or used to make beverages, jams, and syrups.

Economic Importance: The cashew tree is economically important for the production of cashew nuts. Cashews are one of the major tree nuts traded on the global market, and the industry supports the livelihoods of many people in cashew-producing regions.

Other Uses: The cashew tree is not only valued for its nuts and apples. The bark and leaves of the tree may have traditional medicinal uses in some cultures, and parts of the tree are also used for timber.

Cultivation: Cashew trees are cultivated in tropical regions around the world, with major producers including countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The cultivation involves careful handling of the cashew nuts to avoid contact with the toxic resin inside the shells.

Anacardium occidentale is a versatile tree with economic, culinary, and cultural significance. The dual production of cashew nuts and cashew apples makes it a valuable resource in many tropical regions.