Question

Which is correct for Anacardium occidentale?
A) Upper part is edible
B) Upper part is false fruit
C) Seed is edible part of the fruit
D) Upper part is true fruit

Answer 1

Anacardium occidentale is the Scientific name of Cashew. The cashew tree is a tropical evergreen tree. These species are the native species of Central America, Carribean and Northern South America.

Complete Answer:
- The Anacardium occidentale belongs to the family Anacardiaceae. The leaves of the cashew tree are spirally arranged, leathery textured with smooth margins.
- It usually takes three years after planting to start production and after eight years the economic yield can begin.
- The Cashew tree produces the cashew seed and cashew apple.
- The cashew seed is called as the cashew nut which is eaten on its own, used in many recipes or processed into cashew cheese or cashew butter.
- The cashew apple is a light reddish to yellow fruit whose pulp can be processed into a sweet, astringent fruit drink or can be distilled into a liquor.
- Cashew or Anacardium occidentale is having an outer shell which is not edible. The main part which is preferred for eating is the seed.

Hence, option C is the correct answer for this question.

Note: The shell of the cashew contains oil compounds that can cause contact dermatitis and is poisonous as similar to poison ivy. The shell of cashew also contains an acrid juice that acts as a powerful vesicant. Due to this reason cashews are typically not sold in the market with shells.