Western anacardium
Syn. Cassuvium pomiferum, Anacardium occidental var. americanum

Names: Cashew apple tree, cashew nut, cashew apple, cashew apple, cashew apple, nut apple, apple mahogany, cashew, kajou, pònm kajou, nwa kajou, nwa, nwa akajou, ponm nwa, cashew, cashew apple , cashew fruit, cashew nut, cashew-nut tree, cashew tree, marañón, merrey, caju-da-praia, cajuil, caujil, merey, cacajuil, pajuil, mihitui, caracoli, chorote, cajueiro, caracoli, lacre rosado, cashew, habb al-biladhir, yao kuo, kasjoe, mereke, cashew tree, acajubaum, kaschubaum, cashwenuß, elefantenlaus, acagia, kashu nattsu, caju, cashú, thank you, casho, acaya, anacardo, kaschunuss, kazu, nuez de cajuil, merei,  miraguo, orosi, pasji, yapiru, …

​

FAMILY

ANACARDIACEAE

 

ETYMOLOGY

Anacardium : from the Greek “ana” , similar and “ kardion” , heart, because of the color and shape of the fruit. Western: means, in Latin, which comes from the East.
Cajou comes from the Tupi “acaju” .

 

ORIGIN

Tropical America (North East of Brazil).

 

HABITAT

Cultivated, sometimes escaped in dry areas near the coast.

 

DESCRIPTION

Small tree with thick, smooth, dark green oval leaves. 
Its port is generally low and tortuous but it can reach 10m in height. The foliage is dense and persistent. Young leaves are reddish at first, then very light green. 
The flowers are fragrant, small, grouped in panicles and have a white color then pinkish yellow and finally purple red. Each inflorescence has on average 1 hermaphroditic flower for 6 male flowers. 
The Fruit, about 5-12 cm, the cashew apple, comes from the enlargement of the flower peduncle. It is a fleshy and juicy “false fruit” or “exo-fruit”. The seeds being outside the fruit. It looks like a pear with yellow or red waxy skin (or variants depending on the variety). Its yellowish, fibrous and thirst-quenching pulp has a flavor that is both sweet and acidic.
The Seed, is a kidney-shaped nut,  5-7 cm, hanging under the apple, it has a gray-brown shell. It is the famous cashew nut. 
All the organs of the plant exhale, when they are crushed, a strong perfume of turpentine.

 

NEEDS

This fruit tree appreciates wet to dry climates, even arid, but prefers dry climates. 

Light watering is sufficient, it is drought resistant.
It is not very demanding on the nature of the soil. 
Exposure: full sun and it tolerates wind and spray. 
Flowering: from December to March.
Fruiting: from February to July. 3 years after sowing, but full production is from the 5th year.
Hardiness: It fears negative temperatures, culture in pot under greenhouse or veranda. Can withstand 0°C for 5 weeks.

 

MULTIPLICATION

Sowing, grafting, cuttings, layering 
Sow the seeds in a well-draining substrate, on the surface, slightly buried. Water regularly and leave in partial shade the first year.

 

CULTURE AND MAINTENANCE

Cashew is fast growing and easy to cultivate. There is no real maintenance other than regular amendment.
Space plants 10m apart.
It supports the size but it is not necessary except for the branches which are likely to touch the ground.

​

USES
 

MEDICINAL USE

Ailments: Diarrhea.

Parts used: Ripe fruit and leaves.

Directions: Decoction of leaves, 30g/L - Leave to cool, filter (Source: TRAMIL )

Dosage:

- Drink 1 cup of decoction after each meal and each liquid defecation (Source: TRAMIL ).

- Take a spoonful after each episode of diarrhea. 1/2 teaspoon for children over 3 years old and 1/2 small teaspoon for children under 3 years old (Source: TRAMIL ).

Dangers: The outer part of the raw nut is corrosive and very irritating. The oil from the pericarp (cashew balm, contains cardol) is toxic and vesicant . Smoke too.

Recommendations :

Any medicinal preparation must be kept cold and used within 24 hours.

 

ORNAMENTAL USE

Cultivated for the ornament in isolated subject. There are apple trees with red apples and apple trees with yellow apples.

 

FOOD USE

The roasted nut is appreciated in appetizers. 
The apple is used to make liqueurs, jellies, compotes, ice cream, mousse, syrup, juice, chutney, jams or to eat it raw.
In India they make a liquor called Fenny.
In Brazil, they prepare wine called Cajuado.
In Nicaragua, it is transformed into candy or vinegar.

​

OTHER USES

The walnut oil is comparable to that of the sweet almond.
The whole nut is used as a smoke insecticide.
Proximal analysis of the leaf indicated the presence of Potassium and Manganese. 
The oil from the nut shell is used as thermal insulation in aeronautics.
It is also made into an oil for brake linings, clutch discs and an anti-corrosion and anti-termite paint.
Cosmetics (shampoo, lotions, etc.).

 

ANECDOTES

On the island of La Désirade, in Guadeloupe, the famous cashew syrup and candied cashew apples (Pruneau Désirade) are made. 
The cashew apple tree is used as a reforestation species in the Sahel. 
An old Martinican game, the “siokoke nwa”, was played with fruit.

 

COMPOSITION
 

           100g of pulp  |  100g of walnuts

Energy         46 kcal               533 kcal
Carbohydrates         11.6g                 42g
Proteins         0.8g                15.2g
Lipids           0.2g                 37g
Water              87.1g                 2.7g
fibers            5mg                 1.4g
Calcium          4mg                24mg
Iron               1mg                1.8mg
A. retinol       40mcg               0mcg
Vitamin B1   0.03mg              0.85mg
Vitamin B2   0.03mg               0.32mg
Vitamin B3     0.4mg                2.1mg
Vitamin C      219mg                0mg
 

The cashew apple contains 5 times more vitamin C than an orange.

Source: Guadeloupe food composition table . Publication of the Guadeloupe committee for World Food Day, 1981. Dr Henry Joseph.

 

​

SOURCES

• TRAMIL - Third edition
• FLORA - Ed Fournet - T1 P1047
• The Big Book of Tropical Fruits - Ed Orphie P14
• Directory of Fruits and Vegetables of Guadeloupe - Ed Orphie P173
• Medicinal plants of the tropics - T1 P23
• Caribbean medicinal plants - Ed Garfish - T2 P182

• http://caribfruits.cirad.fr/fruits_tropicaux/pomme_et_noix_de_cajou