Cashew Trees

Cashew trees are grown in the wet and dry tropics. Cashew trees are popular in Brazil, India, Vietnam, Africa and South East Asia. Cashew trees do well in areas that have temperatures that don't drop below 50 degrees F. Cashew trees can handle temperatures that reach 105 degrees F but an average daytime temperature of 77 degrees F is the ideal growing condition.

Check with your local nursery to see if it is possible to grow cashew trees in your area. They should also be able to provide you with seedlings or grafted trees. You also might be able to talk to a commercial grower and obtain a tree from them.

Cashew trees don't like wet, heavy clay like soil. Sandy soils are best for planting. Also select an are that is protected from strong winds.

Cashews as you know are nuts, however the nut is only part of the cashew fruit. The other part of the fruit is referred to as the cashew apple. The cashew apple is high in Vitamin C, very juicy but a bit acidic. You can use the cashew apple with other fruits in juices or you can dry them for a nice snack.

The cashew nut is inside a shell that is at the bottom of the cashew apple. You need to be extremely careful when you are shelling the cashew nut because inside the shell where the nut resides is also a caustic liquid that will burn you. Please use the appropriate safety clothing and glasses if you are going to shell and process the cashew nut.