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Cashews: A Delicious Treat


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Cashews are one of the most popular nuts in the world. They are eaten raw, roasted, flavored, salted and unsalted. Cashews are one of those snacks that once you have just one you want to have a few more and even more after that. So just what is it that makes these little nuts taste so great?

There are numerous varieties of cashews that one can enjoy.

Raw

Cashews that are labelled raw, in most cases are really not raw. Heat is still used to separate the cashew from its toxic shell. They are high in protein and low in carbohydrates. Raw cashews are mainly used in baking, cooking and snacking.

Roasted Cashews

Roasted cashews are gently roasted in oil and are available in salted and unsalted varieties. This is one of the most popular choices for snacking. Although all nuts have fats, cashews have less than other varieties.

Dry Roasted Cashews

Dry roasted cashews are available in salted and unsalted versions. They are roasted without added oils and are truly delicious.

Honey Roasted Cashews

Honey Roasted Cashews are gently roasted in oil and then coated with a honey covering with a touch of salt added. One of the most sold varieties of cashews on the market.

Organic

Organic cashews are available in raw form, and dry roasted in salted and unsalted varieties.  When purchasing organic nuts try to find those that are actually certified organic by recognized agencies.  This insures the nuts were grown, harvested, and processed organically.

Flavored cashews

Flavored cashews are truly a delicious treat.  They are roasted and then coated or sprinkled with various flavors that make them a snack for all seasons.  A few of the seasonings include, BBQ, Sesame Teriyaki, Thai Coconut Curry, Rm, Cinnamon and Ranch.  No matter what your taste there is a cashew to match.  Try them all and you will surely find a favorite or two.

Candy Cashews

Cashews are often covered in candy or made into candy clusters or candy brittle.  Anytime you visit your favorite candy or fudge store you will find an array of candy coated cashews.  Here are just some of the choices; chocolate, either in dark, milk chocolate or white chocolate.  There is butter toffee, caramel and a combination of ingredients such as other nuts, marshmallows, cake and hard candies.

Related Reading:

The 2009 World Forecasts of Cashew Nuts Export SuppliesThe 2009 World Forecasts of Cashew Nuts Export Supplies
Vegetarian Cooking: Simmered Eggplant, Onion and Bell Pepper in Cashew Sauce (Vegetarian Cooking - Vegetables and Fruits)Vegetarian Cooking: Simmered Eggplant, Onion and Bell Pepper in Cashew Sauce (Vegetarian Cooking - Vegetables and Fruits)
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Vegetarian Cooking: Stir-Fried Konnyaku with Vegetables and Cashew Nuts (Vegetarian Cooking - Konnyaku)Vegetarian Cooking: Stir-Fried Konnyaku with Vegetables and Cashew Nuts (Vegetarian Cooking - Konnyaku)

Cashews: A Delicious Treat was published on November 28th, 2010, with the tags , , , , , under the Cashews category. There are currently Comments Off on this article so far.

Exotic Nuts: Oyster Nuts

There a number of varieties of nuts in the world that are not usually seen in America. One of those, oyster nuts, comes from East Africa. The oyster nut is actually a member of gourd family. It is a fast growing climbing vine that can grow sixty to seventy feet tall and individual vines may grown to over 100 feet in length and clings to the trees and plants that surround it.

The plant is sensitive to cold and frost but in the right conditions can live fifteen to twenty years. The plant is propagated by seed and takes eighteen months for the plant to flower. There are both male and female plants and until they flower it is impossible to tell which is which.

The gourd takes four to five months to mature and at maturity look like large footballs with deep ridges. They grow to one to one and half feet in length, eight to twelve inches in diameter and may weigh up to thirty pounds. When the gourd ripens they burst open releasing 100 to 140 pale yellow seeds that are contained in the gourds golden yellow pulp. These seeds are the nuts. They are covered by a strong, bitter tasting husk. The nuts are large, flat, and circular shaped about 1 and one half inches in length by one half inch thick.

The name, oyster nut, come from the appearance of the nut, and are opened the same way oysters are shucked. The nut is cut around the edge and they pried open to extract the kernels.

Oyster nuts can be eaten either raw or roasted. Their flavor is similar to a Brazil Nut. The kernels are the edible portion of the nut and the outer shell must be removed in order to obtain the kernels. The outer shell should not be consumed as it is extremely bitter and unpleasant.

Oyster nuts are high in fat, about 62% and in protein, about 27%.

In East Africa the nuts are used to make sweets, cakes, and soups. The oyster nut is sometimes made into a paste and mixed with fish and cooked in a banana leaf. Also in East Africa the oyster nut is used for its medicinal properties as it encourages milk production in nursing mothers.

Oils are also extracted from the nuts which are used for cooking, cosmetics and soap making. After extracting the oil from the kernels the residue is then used for animal feed.

The oyster nut is well know in East Africa but its use in America is extremely rare. As the oyster nut becomes more well known and cultivated its use in America may include candy production and as a component of mixed nuts.

Nuts are versatile and delicious. The oyster nut is just one of the exotic varieties that someday may grow to be extremely popular throughout the world.

Related Reading:

Sea Beans and Nickar Nuts: A Handbook of Exotic Seeds and Fruits Stranded on Beaches in North-western Europe (BSBI Handbooks for Field Identification)
In a nutshell: exotic hazelnuts combine indulgence with good health.: An article from: Food Processing
Tropical Desserts Recipes for Exotic Fruits, Nuts and Spices
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It's exotic, it's exciting & it's hot: take a look at Asia's small coffee origins.: An article from: Tea & Coffee Trade Journal

Exotic Nuts: Oyster Nuts was published on February 13th, 2010, with the tags , , , , , , under the Exotic Nuts category. There are currently no comments on this article so far.