Tag: Cashew nut shell liquid

In many regions, over 90% of the edible cashew apple fruit is often discarded, creating a significant waste challenge. What are the by products of cashews that can be repurposed?

While most commercially sold cashews are perfectly safe, the shell contains a potent acidic compound that can cause skin irritation. The question of which acid is in cashew nuts has a surprisingly complex answer related to how these delicious seeds are processed.

While widely enjoyed as a snack, recent scientific studies show that extracts from the cashew plant, particularly its shell, have potent antibacterial properties in lab settings. This has led many to question: are cashews antibacterial in their edible form, and how significant are these effects?

The shell of a cashew nut contains a potent phenolic irritant called anacardic acid, a compound chemically related to the irritant in poison ivy. This is why raw cashews are never sold in their shells and undergo careful processing, making it crucial to understand what acid does cashew contain and where these compounds are located.