Cashew Butter

Name: Cashew butter — a smooth, creamy paste of ground cashew nuts (Anacardium occidentale), naturally slightly sweet and milder than most nut butters.

Description

The cashew tree is native to north-eastern Brazil, and was carried by Portuguese traders to India and East Africa in the 16th century. Today Vietnam, India and countries in West Africa such as Côte d'Ivoire are leading producers. The nut hangs beneath a fruit called the cashew apple, and its shell contains a caustic oil, which is why cashews are never sold in the shell.

Nut butters are made by grinding roasted or raw nuts into a smooth or crunchy paste, and the best are simply nuts, with perhaps a little salt. Cashew butter is naturally smooth and creamy, with a gentle sweetness, and is widely used in vegan cooking to make creamy sauces, “cheeses” and desserts.

Main nutrition value

Cashew butter provides healthy unsaturated fat, protein, magnesium, zinc, copper and iron, and is typically a little higher in carbohydrate than most other nut butters.

How best to be consumed

Cashew butter is rich and mild, and works in sweet and savoury dishes.

1. Spread on toast, crackers or fruit.
2. Stir into curries, soups and sauces for creamy body without dairy.
3. Blend into smoothies, dressings and vegan desserts.
4. Choose versions with cashews as the main ingredient and no added sugar or palm oil.
5. Store in the fridge after opening.

Overconsumption could cause…

Nut butters are nutritious but very calorie-dense, and portion size matters.

1. Weight gain from eating more than a spoonful or two a day, since a tablespoon holds well over 90 calories.
2. Added sugar, palm oil and salt in some commercial brands, so check the label.
3. Tree nut allergy, including a possible cross-reaction in people allergic to pistachios, which can be severe, so anyone allergic should avoid it.

GroupsNut ButtersCashew family (Anacardiaceae)High saturated fatLow sodiumRich in folateRich in ironRich in magnesiumRich in zinc

Made fromCashews

Related foodsPistachio ButterPeanut ButterAlmond ButterChocolate-Hazelnut SpreadHazelnut ButterMacadamia Butter

Wikipedia — Cashew, used for origin, naming and history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cashew