Anacardium

Anacardium is a genus of flowering plants in the cashew family, Anacardiaceae. The most economically important species is Anacardium occidentale, commonly known as the cashew tree. The genus is native to tropical regions of the Americas, especially northeastern Brazil, and has been widely cultivated in other tropical areas for cashew nuts and cashew apples.

Anacardium occidentale is an evergreen tree that typically reaches several meters in height and forms a broad canopy. The plant produces a distinctive fruit pair: a false fruit called the cashew apple, which is yellow to red and grows at the end of the stalk, and the true fruit, a kidney-shaped drupe that contains the cashew nut. The nut fruit is enclosed in a tough shell that contains urushiol, a resin capable of causing dermatitis on contact. Processing involves removing the shell by roasting or steaming to render the kernel edible and to reduce skin irritation.

Cultivation occurs in tropical climates with well-drained soils and full sun. Trees begin to bear fruit after a few years and can produce for many years with proper management. The kernel of the nut is the primary commercial product and is consumed roasted, salted, or used in cooking. The cashew apple can be eaten fresh or processed into beverages and jams. Cashew shell liquid is used industrially in varnishes and resins, though handling requires care due to its caustic components.

The genus Anacardium comprises a small number of species, but Anacardium occidentale is by far the most important economically.