Cashew Processing

Cashew Processing - Prospects for cashew kernel oil manufacturing in India & Export Opportunities
Source: Economic Times
Cashew is a commercial crop grown mostly in the coastal regions of India. The cashew comprises the cashew apple (which could be of the yellow or red variety), the cashew-nut shell liquid (CNSL) and the cashew nut nested inside. The nut is covered with polyphenol and this has to be removed to reveal the white cashew kernel. One of the uses of cashew apple is to convert the high polyphenol and sugar into feni, a liquor much preferred in India. The Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) has made several efforts to promote the processing of cashew apple feni in Goa. A number of other beverages may be produced from it, but it has not caught on yet as the flavour is strong and there is not much export potential in Europe. As the preference for natural fruit juices increases, cashew juice may soon become a popular product. At present, cashew juice processing is viable with a small-scale setup. Cashews are said to have medicinal properties and their relevance in Ayurveda can be explored. Cashew nuts are also important ingredients in many Indian snacks and sweetmeats. Cashews also find application outside the food sector. CNSL is highly corrosive and toxic when handled carelessly. It has no use in food and is generally used in polymer paints and pharmaceuticals. An anti-bacterial , it is used as a neutraceutical. A viscous oil, it may be used to protect plants and preserve seeds while retaining their germination properties. It is also used to make anti-insect combinations. Very little CNSL is produced due to crude machinery for extracting it. It has many uses, but none are as profitable as cashew nut processing itself. Another product that has potential is the pericarp covering the nut that contains polyphenols, sterols and tannins, considered good for health today. They act as antioxidants, radical scavengers and are good for cleansing the body. Kernel oil from cashews is only a by-product .