Where Do Cashews Come from?

Cashews are a kidney-shaped seed sourced from the cashew tree — a tropical tree native to Brazil but now cultivated in various warm climates across the world. While “raw” cashews are widely sold, truly raw cashews are not safe to eat, as they contain a substance known as urushiol, found in poison ivy.

Can you eat the apple of a cashew?

Mature cashew trees grow red or yellow pear-shaped drupes called cashew apples. ... The cashew apples, which are edible but highly perishable, are collected. The cashew nuts, still in their shell, are removed from the ends of the fruits and may be dried in the sun, depending on the manufacturer's process.

Why are cashews so bad for you?

High Oxalate Content: Cashews have a relatively high oxalate content. When eaten in large quantities, this can lead to kidney damage and other chronic health problems. Raw Cashews Unsafe: Roasted cashews are not only more delicious, but they're also safer too.