Secrets of Amazing Cashews

Cashews hold a spot in the top five favorite nuts listings. People love their sweet buttery flavor and slightly soft, creamy texture. It may surprise some of the people that regularly enjoy cashew nuts to discover they are not actually a nut. They are drupes. Drupes are stone fruits with a pit inside. Cashews are the seed inside the pit of a fruit that grows on a cashew apple tree.

Fun Facts About Cashew Nuts

Several surprising features differentiate cashew nuts from other nuts. One feature is that raw cashew nuts are not completely raw. When in the shell these nuts are encased in a toxic oil that can burn the skin. Before they are shelled, they are roasted, steamed or boiled so that they can be handled safely.

Many people find the unique texture of this nut to be very appealing. The reason they have such a unique texture is that their starch content is approximately 23%. This is considerably higher than most nuts. It’s the high starch content that makes them an ideal ingredient to use to thicken a sauce.

While this nut is a popular snack item, there are other ways to enjoy it. Cashew butter and cashew cheese are two unique ways to enjoy this nut.

Surprising Benefits of Cashew Nuts

When people are on specialty diets, sometimes it can be challenging to find foods that taste good and comply with the dietary restrictions. Cashew nuts are cholesterol-free, gluten-free and Paleo-friendly. They can be included in a weight loss diet when eaten in moderation. Their fiber content helps control appetite. Because they have a low glycemic index, they can be integrated into a diabetic diet.

A cashew nut has a higher amount of zinc and copper than any other nut. This nut is also a good source of Vitamin K and B6 and magnesium and selenium.

You’ll find cashew nuts in many Southeast Cuisine. They are a popular addition to chicken dishes and are a highly favored ingredient in vegetarian dishes.

A cashew nut contains vitamins and minerals that support eye and skin health, heart and digestive health and are especially beneficial to pregnant women.