Whereas they may seem to be a easy sufficient snack, cashews have fairly the historical past. Native to Brazil, cashew bushes have been found by Portuguese colonizers within the 1500s, and their fruit, which produces nuts, was rapidly traded all over the world. As we speak, you’ll be able to nonetheless discover cashew bushes in South America’s rainforests. However, in line with Statista, immediately’s main exporter of cashew nuts is definitely almost 6,000 miles away in Tanzania.
As we speak, all around the world, cashews are cherished for his or her versatility (significantly in terms of making vegan milk, cheese, yogurt, and cream), but in addition for his or her dietary advantages. Right here, we dive into the entire advantages of cashews, a few of the finest merchandise available on the market, in addition to some tasty recipes to make with cashews because the star ingredient.
What are cashews?
The scientific identify for the cashew tree is Anacardium occidentale. This produces a pepper-shaped drupe referred to as the cashew apple, or if you happen to’re in Central America, a marañón. Beneath this grows a small tree fruit which is formed like a kidney, and inside that’s what is usually known as the cashew “nut” (even supposing it’s technically a seed).
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Whereas they develop in a manner that’s similar to legumes, cashews aren’t categorized as such as a result of they develop inside a tough drupe shell, not a pod (like peas, for instance).
Are cashews wholesome?
It’s price noting that of their raw-shelled type, cashews are toxic to people. It is because the shells comprise urushiol, a mix of natural and poisonous, compounds. When human pores and skin comes into contact with urushiol, it will possibly trigger an itchy, crimson, and painful allergic response—think about if you happen to brushed up towards some poison ivy, for instance, which additionally comprises urushiol.
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However a lot of the cashews you should purchase within the retailer have been cooked and processed, so that they’re completely suitable for eating. They usually’re nutritious, too, as they’re a superb supply of protein, fiber, iron, and unsaturated fat, in addition to copper, zinc, and magnesium. To profit from this vitamin, consultants suggest you eat round 15 cashew nuts per day.
Advantages of cashews
Vitamin apart, cashews produce other advantages, too. Due to their creamy texture, they’re an efficient dairy different, and are used to make milk, cheeses, yogurts, and cream that style like dairy, however are completely plant-based.
That is, in fact, higher for the animals. In accordance with Compassion in World Farming, globally, round 270 million cows are compelled to provide milk yearly, and most of them reside in cramped, soiled manufacturing facility farming circumstances. (In accordance with one 2019 research, greater than 99 p.c of US livestock are manufacturing facility farmed.)
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Cashew dairy alternate options are additionally higher for the surroundings than dairy, which is extremely resource-intensive. Plus, the whole livestock business produces 14.5 p.c of worldwide greenhouse gasoline emissions.
In accordance with the BBC local weather change meals calculator, which relies on Oxford College analysis, consuming one glass of dairy milk three to 5 instances per week contributes 131 kilograms to an individual’s annual greenhouse gasoline emissions. It provides that consuming a handful of nuts for a similar period of time contributes two kilograms of emissions.
Cashew makes use of and merchandise
The flexibility of cashews means they’ve been utilized in many alternative methods by recipe creators and types alike. After all, they’re straightforward to snack on as they arrive, however if you wish to attempt one thing extra modern, listed here are a number of examples of a few of the recipes and merchandise on the market.
Nuts for Cheese
1 Cashew cheese
When blended and mixed with substances like dietary yeast, cashews have a really comparable style and texture to cheese. This is the reason Canadian model Nuts for Cheese selected to make use of fermented cashews as a base for merchandise like its Un-Brie-Liavable brie different, its Tremendous Blue, and its Chipotle Cheddar Model Wedge, that are available in shops like Entire Meals and Sobeys.
Standard US model Miyoko’s Creamery additionally depends on cashew milk to make its vary of vegan mozzarellas, cream cheeses, in addition to Smoked Gouda, Aged Sharp English Farmhouse, Aged Herbes de Provence, and extra.
However if you happen to’d wish to get artistic within the kitchen and have a go at making cashew cheese by yourself, this recipe from vegan chef Chad Sarno will stroll you thru the method from begin to end.
Forager Venture
2 Cashew yogurt
The vegan yogurt class is rising. In 2021, it was valued at greater than $2 billion, and it’s anticipated to achieve almost $10 billion by 2029. Numerous nuts and grains can be utilized to make yogurt, and cashews are not any exception.
Take Forager Venture, for instance, which makes an entire vary of yogurts, together with Vanilla Bean, Unsweetened Plain, Strawberry, and Peach, all utilizing cashew milk as a base. Canadian model LeGrand additionally makes plant-based yogurts utilizing cashews, rice, and coconut cream. And even Dealer Joe’s has its personal cashew yogurt choices, together with a seasonal pumpkin spice taste.
Once more, if you wish to make your individual, you’re not wanting choices. Do this On the spot Pot recipe for instance.
Elmhurst
3 Cashew milk
There are such a lot of vegan milk merchandise available on the market. However whereas oat arguably is likely one of the hottest, it’s necessary to not overlook in regards to the humble cashew, too.
Plenish, Forager Venture, Dream, and Elmhurst are only a few examples of a few of the manufacturers providing vegan cashew milk immediately. And, in fact, you can also make your individual if the temper takes you.
Ecomil
4 Cashew cream
If it’s doable to make cashew milk and yogurt, it stands to motive that cashew cream exists too. Though, it’s not as widespread as a few of the different merchandise on the checklist. That mentioned, you should purchase it from Spanish model Ecomil, which sells a sugar-free natural cooking cream, made with cashews, or, you can also make it from residence!
This recipe, for instance, takes simply half-hour to throw collectively, and all you want is a few uncooked cashews and one cup of water.
Maisie Janes
5 Cashew butter
Transfer over, peanut butter, you’ve bought competitors. Identical to its rival, cashew butter is creamy, crunchy, and a terrific supply of protein. Plus, it’s straightforward to pay money for, too. Even Entire Meals presents a cashew butter in its 365 vary.
Different manufacturers with cashew butter merchandise embody Maisie Janes and NutRaw, which makes a pistachio and cashew butter. Artisana Organics additionally sells uncooked cashew butter, and you should purchase a peanut-cashew hybrid from Wild Mates.
There are additionally many straightforward recipes for cashew butter accessible.
Cashew recipes
Alex Shytsman
1Cashew Mac and Cheese With Lobster Mushrooms
Is there something extra comforting than a heat bowl of creamy macaroni & cheese? We’ll reply for you: no. This recipe combines a cashew-based sauce with substances like dietary yeast and umami-rich miso. It’s tremendous fast to make, too, and truthfully, when you’ve tried it, you’ll need to make it each single weeknight for the remainder of time.
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Hollan Hawaii
2 Lasagna With Cashew Bechamel Sauce
The key to a scrumptious and moreish lasagna is perfecting the bechamel. And this recipe produces a velvety, creamy model of the traditional French white sauce utilizing, you guessed it, cashews. Merely layer it up with the filling of your alternative. Will you go along with vegan meat or greens?
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Vegan Heritage Press
3 Horchata With Cinnamon Cashew Milk
A tasty, comforting favourite, Horchata is a well-liked drink alternative in all places throughout Mexico. Whereas conventional recipes usually name for cow’s milk, it’s not a necessity, as this recipe proves. Merely combine cashews with dates, water, and cinnamon! Nope, there’s nothing else to it, it’s as straightforward as that.
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Alejandra Schrader
4 Cashew Dill Yogurt Salad Dressing
Nothing jazzes up a salad like the precise dressing. This recipe will present you the way to improve your lunchtime go-to by making a cashew dill topping. It’s somewhat extra difficult than a few of the different choices on this checklist, however your tastebuds will probably be grateful you’ve put within the time.
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Lauren Toyota
5 Creamy Cashew Cheesecake
A creamy, indulgent, decadent cheesecake dessert doesn’t require dairy. As an alternative, swap out dairy cream for a cashew cream base. You’ll barely discover the distinction, and neither will your family members. You’ll be preventing them for the final piece!
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Christina Leopold
6Cashew Butter Fudge
Candy, salty, moreish, fudge is the final word candy deal with. And also you’ll be happy to know, it’s tremendous straightforward to make vegan. To make this tasty recipe, all you want is a few cashew butter, maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla paste, and salt. Even higher, it’s no bake! (Though you’ll need to put aside three hours for freezing time.)
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Charlotte is a author and editor primarily based in sunny Southsea on England’s southern coast.
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