The home of the popular cashew nuts, which are often offered in nut mixes, is northeastern Brazil. Cashew trees were discovered by the Portuguese. They contributed to the spread of cashews throughout their colonies in Asia and Africa.
Where do cashews come from in Germany and can you grow a cashew tree here?
Cashew nuts sold in Germany mostly come from Brazil. They are roasted and pre-treated to remove the hard shell and toxic oils. A cashew tree that requires a tropical climate can only thrive in a greenhouse in Germany.
Discovered by the Portuguese
The first Europeans to enjoy cashews were the conquerors from Portugal. They brought the fruits with them to Europe and their colonies in Asia and Africa as early as the 16th century.
The “Mango of the Forest”
Cashew trees are called the “mango of the forest” in Thailand. The trees are very similar to mangoes. The kernels are also known as “elephant louse”.
Cashew trees can reach a height of up to 15 meters in tropical regions.
Because of their long taproots, cashew trees are often planted to protect against erosion.
Two fruits can be harvested from the cashew tree at once, namely the so-called cashew apple and the cashew nuts.
The fruits are processed into:
- Jam
- Juice
- Dried kernels
- Cashew oil
Where do cashew nuts that are sold in Germany come from?
Cashew nuts are sold in supermarkets or he alth food stores in Germany.
The largest proportion is imported from Brazil. Fair trade chains also offer cores from African production to promote the local economy.
Cashews only available roasted and pre-treated
In Germany only treated cashew nuts are sold. They are roasted to remove them from the very hard shell. The brown skin surrounding the kernels is removed by further roasting.
The peel contains an oil that is toxic. The cashews themselves can cause symptoms in people with histamine intolerance.
Planting a cashew tree in Germany
Cashew trees require a tropical climate and only thrive in high humidity.
These site conditions can only be created in a greenhouse. Cashew trees can be grown there and they also bear fruit.
To sow a cashew tree, the kernels must be untreated. They are hard to get in Germany.
Tips & Tricks
Cashew is the English name for the tree and kernels, which has also become common in Germany. The name originally comes from the language of the Tupa Indians. “Acaju” means “kidney tree” there, which probably refers to the curved shape of the kernels.
