Wild Cashew
Anacardium occidentale — Anacardiaceae
Italiano: Anacardio selvatico / Marañón

Description
Wild Cashew (Anacardium occidentale) belongs to the Anacardiaceae family and is native to SouthAmerica. It thrives in Coastal forest, dry tropical forest, cerrado edges environments across regions including SouthAmerica. Botanically, Wild Cashew is tropical American tree producing a kidney-shaped nut atop a fleshy red or yellow cashew apple (pseudofruit). Both edible.. The edible parts include Nuts, Cashew apple (fruit). With an edibility rating of 7/10, it ranks as a good wild food source. Harvesting is best done during December, February, January, March, November and October. Nutritionally, Wild Cashew stands out for its Vitamin C (45.0mg, 50% DV), Vitamin K (30.0mg, 25% DV) and Vitamin E (1.0mg, 7% DV). It also provides 4.0g protein and 3.0g dietary fiber per 100g serving. In the kitchen, Wild Cashew offers a Nuts: rich, creamy; cashew apple: sweet, astringent, fruity flavor profile. Roast whole nuts to destroy shell toxins; crack; cashew apple: eat fresh or juice. Common culinary applications include Roasted nuts, Cashew juice, Fermented drinks, Jams. Popular preparations include Roast nuts in fire; crack shell; eat cashew apple fresh or juice it. For storage, refrigerate fresh parts. Safety note: Raw nut shell contains caustic urushiol; NEVER crack raw with bare hands; must be roasted or steamed before shelling. Antinutrient content is minimal. Be aware that Verify identification before consumption. Safe lookalike species include Similar edible species. Always verify identification with at least three independent botanical sources before consumption.
🌿 Foraging Tips
🍳 Recipe: Roast nuts in fire; crack shell; eat cashew apple fresh or juice it
This is one of the traditional ways to prepare this wild edible plant. Always ensure proper plant identification before cooking.
Edibility
Harvest Calendar
Nutrition (per 100g)
Culinary Uses: Roasted nuts, Cashew juice, Fermented drinks, Jams Storage: Refrigerate fresh parts
Recipes
- Roast nuts in fire; crack shell; eat cashew apple fresh or juice it
