Truly a sweet gift of Nature, our Really Raw Cashews are more vibrant, fresher and appetizing. Did you know most cashews sold as raw are really high-heat processed to remove the shell, which destroys their delicate nutrients. The secret to the goodness of these little beauties is that they are hand shelled (rather than heat-processed) to insure a nutrient dense, Really Raw Cashew. They are Certified organic for production and processing as well as Fair Trade Certified. Creamy and delicious, they are the perfect base for deserts, smoothies or even decadent finger food.
Sustainable - Environmentally, Socially and Nutritionally Cashew nuts (
Anacardium occidentale) belong to the flowering plant family Anacardiaceae and the genus Anacardium. They are closely related to the mango and the pistachio nut. The nuts are actually the seeds that are found attached to the bottom of the cashew apple (the fruit of the cashew tree).
Our really raw Cashews are grown on eastern Flores Island, Indonesia with the intention of creating of a socially equitable value chain for cashew farmers. Before the Really Raw Cashew production began, there were no options for "value addition" by local producers. With no facilities for processing, all cashews were purchased “in-shell” and sold to processors in India or Vietnam - to be heat processed. Prices were extremely low, exploitation was extremely high and no premiums were paid for differentiation if motivated producers did try to increase quality by sun drying and/or grading in-shell nuts. The solution was to create a 100% raw, cold-processed cashew nut.
The definition of “raw” for the cashew industry means “not roasted”; cashew-in-shell are either boiled in oil or scorched in fire in order to condition the shell prior to cracking and speed the process. However, during that heating process the cashew degrades significantly and essential fatty acids and enzymes are destroyed. In the delicate hand-shelling process, special knives which allow producers to both pierce and split the tough outer shell of the unheated cashew nut. Once the shell has been broken to expose the cashew kernel (still nestled snuggly inside), producers use a thin stainless pick to pry the kernel out. These kernels are still encased in a thin red skin, or testa,which must be dehydrated to facilitate removal. The nuts are dehydrated at a maximum of 40º Celsius for 12-14 hours at which time the thin skin is rubbed from the kernel with cotton gloves. The nut is then returned to dehydration for a final 4-6 hours to guarantee packaging at a min of 5% moisture content. The kernels are then vacuum packed in 1lb plastic bags to insure freshness and moisture resistance. The processing necessary for our Really Raw Cashews is slow, relative to conventional processing, but the high quality and unbeatable flavor are unquestionable.
Health Benefits*: Cashews are rich in energy and nutrients, high in protein and rich in Essential Fatty Acids.
Healthy Fat: Cashew nuts have a lower fat content than most other nuts. The fat they do contain is mostly derived from oleic acid, a monounsaturated oil with known benefits in protecting against heart disease and cancer. Helps to lower LDL or bad cholesterol and increase HDL or good cholesterol. It is also considered a beauty nutrient.
Mineral Rich: Cashew nuts are very rich source of minerals like manganese, potassium, copper, iron, magnesium, zinc and selenium. Eat just a handful of cashew nuts every day to avoid minerals deficiencies. Selenium is an important micro-nutrient which functions as co-factor for antioxidant enzymes such as Glutathione peroxidases, one of the most powerful antioxidant in the body. Copper is a cofactor for many vital enzymes, including cytochrome c-oxidase and superoxide dismutase (other minerals function as co-factors for this enzyme are manganese and zinc). Zinc is a co-factor in many enzymes that regulate growth and development, sperm generation, digestion and nucleic acid synthesis.
Vitamin Rich: Cashews are also rich in many essential vitamins such as pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine (vitamin B-6), riboflavin and thiamin (vitamin B-1). These vitamins are essential in the sense that our body requires them from external sources to replenish and essential for metabolism of protein, fat and carbohydrates in the body.
Antioxident: The nuts are also containing good amount of Zea-xanthin, an important flavonoid antioxidant, which selectively absorbed into the retinal macula lutea in the eyes. It is thought to provide antioxidant and protective light-filtering functions, help prevent age related macular degeneration.
Suggested Uses: Blend in smoothies
Use as a creamy base for raw deserts
Eat by the handful
Mix with
Hunza Raisins for a peppy pick-me-up
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.