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

Where to find: Grows in Coastal forest, dry tropical forest, cerrado edges across SouthAmerica.

🍳 Recipe: Roast nuts in fire; crack shell; eat cashew apple fresh or juice it

Preparation method: Roast whole nuts to destroy shell toxins; crack; cashew apple: eat fresh or juice
Flavor profile: Nuts: rich, creamy; cashew apple: sweet, astringent, fruity
Edible parts: Nuts, Cashew apple (fruit)

This is one of the traditional ways to prepare this wild edible plant. Always ensure proper plant identification before cooking.

When to harvest: Best months: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar.
Lookalike (safe): Similar edible species
⚠️ Lookalike (toxic): Verify identification before consumption
Tip: Always verify identification with multiple sources before consuming any wild plant. When in doubt, do not eat it.

Edibility

7/10
Toxicity: Raw nut shell contains caustic urushiol; NEVER crack raw with bare hands; must be roasted or steamed before shelling
Antinutrients: Minimal
Safe lookalikes: Similar edible species
Dangerous: Verify identification before consumption

Harvest Calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Edible parts: Noci, Mela di anacardio (frutto)
Preparation: Roast whole nuts to destroy shell toxins; crack; cashew apple: eat fresh or juice
Flavor: Nuts: rich, creamy; cashew apple: sweet, astringent, fruity

Nutrition (per 100g)

Protein: 4.0g
Fat: 0.5g
Fiber: 3.0g
Vitamin C: 45.0mg (50%DV)
Vitamin A: 50mcg (5%DV)
Vitamin E: 1.0mg (6%DV)
Vitamin K: 30mcg (25%DV)
Folate (B9): 20mcg (5%DV)
Calcium: 30.0mg (2%DV)
Iron: 1.0mg (5%DV)
Magnesium: 20mg (4%DV)
Potassium: 200mg (4%DV)
Zinc: 0.3mg (2%DV)

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

Where It Grows

Continent: SouthAmerica
Regions: SouthAmerica
Habitat: Coastal forest, dry tropical forest, cerrado edges
⚠️
Important: Always verify plant identification before consumption. This content is for informational purposes only. Consult reliable sources and experts before eating any wild plant. Improper identification can be dangerous.

Sources & References