The cashew plant is native to Brazil and was introduced to India in the second half of the 16th century as a crop to control soil erosion. Today it is a valuable cash crop, grown on the slopes of the hilly regions of India’s east and west coasts.

All those pictures with the cashew perched on top of its original fruit should tell you that cashews are seeds of the cashew plant, but with a difference. They grow OUTSIDE the core or heart of the fruit!

Uses of cashews

A handful of cashews or kaju makes the tastiest snack. Cashews are used to garnish curries and sweets, and are made into a paste and used to enrich sauces. Who hasn’t heard of or craved kaju barfi or eaten the garnish of sliced ​​kajus on top of a halwa?

Nutritional value

At 100g. serving of kaju provides 553 calories. Nuts are high in fat, protein, and dietary fiber. They are rich sources of minerals such as iron, potassium, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, phosphorus and magnesium. Kaju also contains thiamine, vitamin B6, and vitamin K.

100 grams of raw cashew contains 113 mg of beta-sitosterol, which has considerable medicinal value.

Cashews are rich in nutrients. Eating a handful of cashews has many health benefits.

rich in vitamins

The nutritional profile of cashews shows us how rich they are in the vitamins that are so essential for the functioning of our bodies.

Vitamin B6 is the key to more than 100 enzymatic reactions in our body and is required to metabolize protein at the cellular level.

Thiamine or vitamin B1 is essential to prevent deficiency diseases such as beriberi, inflammation of the nerves or neuritis associated with pellagra or deficiencies during pregnancy. Thiamine is also beneficial for kidney health in people with type 2 diabetes and prevents memory loss, including that caused by Alzheimer’s. Thiamine is essential for the human body to make proper use of carbohydrates.

Vitamin K is necessary for blood clotting to prevent excessive bleeding. Recent studies have suggested that it is beneficial for bone health, particularly in the prevention of osteoporosis and steroid-induced bone loss.

A handful of kaju is truly a vitamin supplement, and tasty too!

Mineral wealth is a blessing for health

Cashews are a good iron supplement – ​​the mineral is essential for keeping anemia at bay.

Selenium is an important micronutrient necessary for the formation of antioxidants that ensure heart health.

Minerals like copper, manganese, and zinc are necessary for bone health, digestion, DNA synthesis, sexual functions, eyesight, etc. In fact, every function in our body is activated and controlled by all these essential minerals.

Benefits of Beta-sitosterol

This plant ester found in cashews is a blessing from nature. It boosts the immune system, prevents colon cancer, and is good for the gallbladder by stopping the formation of gallstones. It is also useful in the treatment of migraines, hair loss, bronchitis, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Cashews are also recommended for a pleasant rest, especially during menopause.

Some common misconceptions

Cashews are high in fat. But these are mostly unsaturated fats. You can get 67% of your daily value of fat from 100 grams of kaju. Cashews also contain 17% saturated fat; this is more than 6% content in walnuts and almonds, but not a big enough difference to put them on a prohibited foods list! If you have to choose between an equal amount of French fries or any other type of fast food, and cashews, go for the latter! Kaju is more nutritionally beneficial – it’s not an “empty calorie” type of snack.

There are some who have tree nut and peanut allergies. People with known allergic reactions should be careful.

Since cashews are so nutritionally dense, it would be a good idea to eat them as a replacement for empty calories as fried snacks rather than adding them to your regular caloric intake.

Cashews are best eaten raw, but no one should deny themselves the treat of the roasted and spiced variety from time to time.

How to store

Cashews typically stay fresh for up to a month. Keep them in a bottle or container with a tight-fitting lid.

If you have more than you can use, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 4-6 months.

If you have a lot in some sort of Diwali bonanza, then it’s best to keep them in the freezer.

Kajus can be bought everywhere from your local supermarket to upscale dried fruit shops. A good brand ensures that the cashews you are going to buy have been well stored and free of pests.

Kaju also comes in different grades. The larger the size of the nut, the more expensive it is. These nuts are also more valued and expensive when they are whole. The problem with buying whole nuts is that you don’t know what they might contain inside. This is why you should buy from a reputable brand or store to get the best value for your money.

Include cashews in your diet to supplement your nutritional intake. Add them to your morning cereal. Use kaju paste instead of cream to give your sauces a thick texture and creamy flavor. Or just grab a handful and enjoy your day while you eat.