It is edible, and has a strong sweet smell and taste!!!
The cashew tree (Anacardium occidentale) is a tropical evergreen tree that produces the cashew nut and the cashew apple.It can grow as high as 14 m (46 ft), but the dwarf cashew, growing up to 6 m (20 ft), has proved more profitable, with earlier maturity and higher yields.
The cashew nut, often simply called a cashew, is widely consumed. It is eaten on its own, used in recipes, or processed into cashew cheese or cashew butter. The shell of the cashew seed yields derivatives that can be used in many applications from lubricants to paints. The cashew apple is a light reddish to yellow fruit, whose pulp can be processed into a sweet, astringent fruit drink or distilled into liquor.
HARVESTING YOUR CASHEW TREE
The plant starts yielding 3rd year onwards. The peak picking months are March and May. Good nuts are grey-green, smooth, and well filled. After picking, the nuts are separated from the apple and dried in the sun for two to three days to bring down the moisture content to 10 to 12 %. Properly dried nuts are packed in alkathene bags. This will keep for 6 months.
FERTILIZING
Cashew tree needs regular application of fertilizer to grow vigorously and produce fruits. Use slow-release fertilizer with N-P-K 8 – 3 – 9 according to the product instructions given on the packet, around the base of the tree every two months during the growing season. Also apply compost or farm manure once in a year, around 15 kg on the surface of the soil to a mature tree.
PRUNING AND SHAPE OF CASHEW TREE
Prune cashew trees regularly to remove weak, dead, and entangled branches and branches that are infested with diseases or pests. Also, cut overcrowded branches to promote vigorous growth.
Sangeetha –
Delivered with no damage.. Plant was very well packed and is in good condition. Thank you!
nithinkurup36 (verified owner) –
Plant received in very good condition .Perfect Packaging. Thank you!