Overview
Cashew (Bertholletia excelsa)
Cashew (Anacardium occidental)
The Cashew tree is indigenous to the West Indies, Central America, Peru and Brazil. The Portuguese transplanted it to the East Indies as early as the 16th century, and it was later established on the eastern coast of Africa. Today, the leading cashew producing countries are India, Brazil, Nigeria and Mozambique.
The cashew tree grows up to 15 metres in height and has a thick and tortuous trunk and branches so winding that they frequently reach the ground. The cashew tree produces many resources and products.
The bark and leaves of the tree are used medicinally, the cashew nut has international appeal and market value as a food, and even the shell around the nut is used medicinally and has industrial applications in the plastics and resin industries for its phenol content.
The cashew nut grows in its own kidney shaped hard shell as the end of a pseudo-fruit or "cashew fruit or apple". The nut kernel inside is covered with an inner shell and between the two shells is a thick caustic toxic oil called "cardol" which will raise blisters on the skin. Cashew nuts must be cleaned to remove the cardol and then roasted to remove toxins before they can be eaten.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there oil in the top of the jar?
Melrose nut spreads are made from 100% lightly roasted nuts.
Unlike most peanut butters the natural oils in Melrose nut spreads are not subjected to hydrogenation. In normal spreads this hydrogenation turns liquid oils into solids so that they will not separate out. However hydrogenation also produces trans fatty acids and these have negative health effects.
- Melrose nut spreads contain only natural oils.
- Melrose Nut spreads contain no hydrogenated Oils.
- Melrose nut spreads contain no trans fats.
When using Melrose nut spreads, simply stir in the natural oils. Do not pour off the oil as this will leave you with a dry spread.
Aren't nuts fattening?
Nuts are nutritious health promoting foods and when eaten in moderation have no association with weight gain. Although nuts are generally high in fat, this fat is mostly monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fat. Nuts also have a high satiety value (i.e. they make you feel "full" for a relatively low kilojoules intake which may benefit weight loss.
Product Sizes
Melrose nut spreads come in a 240g jar.
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