The cashew nut is obtained from the seed of the cashew tree, which is an evergreen tropical tree. Though it was a native species of Central America, currently, India is one of the largest producers and exporter of cashew.

Cashew nuts have a sweet buttery taste. It is eaten as a snack either raw or toasted with salt and/or spices. It is an important part of Indian cuisine, mainly used for making various kinds of sweets, desserts, payasam, etc. It is also used in making gravies for Indian curry preparations. Additionally, it is used as a garnish for different food preparations including biryani, pulav, etc.

Cashew nuts are rich in nutrients and have benefits for weight loss, blood sugar control, brain development, immunity improvement, etc. It also has antioxidant properties.