Cashew

High school (ages 12+)
Food & Cooking

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/cashew

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the scientific name?Anacardium occidentale
2. What is the botanical classification of edible part?Seed (kernel) of the pseudocarp (cashew apple)
3. Why does a cashew need to be roasted or steamed?The shell contains a strong oil called anacardic acid that can irritate skin and lungs. Roasting or steaming removes the irritant so the nut can be eaten safely.
4. Where do cashews grow?Cashew trees originally grow in the Amazon region of Brazil. Today, they are grown in many tropical countries, especially Vietnam and India.

Pseudocarp: A fleshy, accessory fruit that develops from the flower stalk, not the ovary.
Anacardic Acid: A phenolic lipid found in the cashew shell, known for its caustic and allergenic properties.
Monounsaturated Fatty Acids: A type of unsaturated fat that is considered heart-healthy and is abundant in cashews.
Commodity: A raw material or primary agricultural product that can be bought and sold.