Western kidneyberry (Anacardium occidentale)

Other names: Cashews, Kaju, cashew

The western kidney tree (Anacardium occidentale), also known as cashew, cashew, or cashew, is a tropical tree native to Brazil. At first glance, this tree, with its unmistakably shaped fruit, looks more like an ornamental plant than a utilitarian tree, with nuts that are an everyday part of our diet. Cashew nuts, as they are known to us, are actually the seeds of this tree. These grow at the end of the so-called cashew apple, which is a fleshy, edible fruit of a distinctive yellow-red colour. Cultivation of this tree has spread from Brazil to other tropical regions of the world and is now one of the most important export crops of countries such as India, Vietnam and the Ivory Coast.

The products of the western kidney tree are truly diverse. First of all, of course, there are cashew nuts. These are most commonly eaten roasted and salted as a relish with beer or as part of various nut and seed mixtures. They are also used to make a variety of peanut butter-like butters, which are particularly popular with athletes and healthy lifestyle advocates. Cashew nuts are also the basis for the production of some vegan cheeses, i.e. cheese substitutes that do not contain milk. Less well known is the use of the cashew apple, which is processed into juices, liqueurs or even vinegar. In addition to the fruit, the wood of the western kidney nut tree is used for its resistance to pests and fungal diseases, making it valuable for furniture. Last but not least, this tree is also important in the traditional medicine of some cultures - it is used in the treatment of various skin diseases, diarrheal diseases or dehydration.