10" Cashew Nut

The actual fruit is the nut, the "apple" is a swollen stem. Cashew "apple" is eaten fresh, candied, or stewed. They have a sweet and astringent taste, and are somewhat chewy. The nut itself is caustic until roasted, and they should be roasted outside because the fumes can be irritating. Under favorable conditions they can grow very fast, and they can fruit in just two years. The plants tolerate very poor soil and drought, but they are very cold-sensitive.