Cashew (Anacardium occidentale)

Family: Anacardiaceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (5/5)

A large evergreen tree, Cashew (Anacardium occidentale) grows up to 10-12 m tall with a short and usually irregularly-shaped trunk. It has spreading branches and a canopy that can spread up to 12 m. The leaves are arranged in an alternate pattern, pale green in color but shiny, with fine veins, and are relatively large but narrows towards its base.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Nuts/Seeds, Leaves, Shoots

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Flavouring, Vegetable, Seeds, Oil. — Edible portion: Nut, Leaves, Fruit pulp, Flavouring, Vegetable, Seeds, Oil.; Fruit - raw or cooked.; Juicy and refreshing, though they are a bit acidic and often have an astringency that can leave your mouth feeling furry.; They are also somewhat fibrous.

Habitat & North American Range

Arid thickets in stony, sandy soils at elevations around 600 metres. Sand dunes near the sea. (Zone 9)