Is a cashew a fruit or a nut?

The cashew (Anacardium occidentale named by Linnaeus) is actually an indehiscent dry fruit (it does not split open when ripe) that is termed a "nut." The part we eat is the "kernel" which has had its hard shell and testa (skin) removed. The kernel is really a seed which contains a miniature embryo - gently pry the halves of the "nut" apart and you will see a teeny-tiny plant; the part we really enjoy eating is stored food for the developing plant. So, we can also say that the cashew nut we eat is a one-seeded-fruit!
If you look at a picture of a cashew on the tree you'll see a swollen part. This is the "cashew apple" (or false fruit) from which the "nut" protrudes. It is the swollen base of the stem that originally supported the flower.
It belongs to the Anacardiaceae family of plants, which also includes the mango, the pistachio and the poison ivy. Some people (including me) are allergic to various parts of this fruit and its pseudofruit. I am allergic to raw "nuts" and those stir-fried in Asian cooking.

The anatomy of fruits and what people often call "fruit" is a fascinating study :+)

Hope this all helps your curiosity.

2007-09-22 13:39:23 · answer #1 · answered by GardenMoma 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋

Is A Cashew A Fruit

2016-12-14 11:45:35 · answer #2 · answered by schifano 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋

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RE:
Is a cashew a fruit or a nut?

2015-08-06 00:45:44 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋

if the fruit itself it is a fruit but if the nut that is underneath the fruit, then it is a cashew nut. So this another amazing creation of God a fruit with nut underneath! Amen.

So, if your asking about the nut underneath the cashew fruit then they call it cahsew nut!

But if you're asking what is the classification of Cashew plant then it s a fruit tree!

2007-09-22 13:15:48 · answer #4 · answered by Ephesians 2:8 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋

Have you ever heard of a cashew fruit? How about a cashew nut? Sometimes I feel like a nut.............

2007-09-22 13:11:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋

A cashew is a nut.

2007-09-22 13:08:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋

A tree nut to be exact. If you ever noticed, you have never seen a shelled cashew. The shell is toxic and can make you very sick.

2007-09-22 13:07:12 · answer #7 · answered by Jeff R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋

What Is A Cashew

2016-10-02 12:18:18 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋

Neither, it is a tree, the "cashew nut" is the seed of the cashew tree and is found inside the fruit of the tree.

2007-09-22 13:14:46 · answer #9 · answered by tinkertailorcandlestickmaker 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋

if cashews are fruits then bananas are nuts.

2014-01-30 05:28:45 · answer #10 · answered by Lazorah 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋

Is a cashew a fruit or a nut?

32 answers