Cashew

Cashew is the kidney-shaped kernel of the cashew apple, pale ivory to light tan with a smooth surface. It tastes mildly sweet and buttery with a creamy crunch when roasted. Cooks grind it into sauces or plant-based creams, toast it for snacks and stir-fries, or blend into cashew butter; sold raw, roasted, salted, and as halves and pieces.\n\nDomesticated in northeastern Brazil, cashew spread via Portuguese trade to India, Southeast Asia, and Africa. It features in Goan curries, Thai stir-fries, and West African stews; processors remove the caustic shell and dry kernels before grading.