The Cashew Apple: Can You Eat It and Should You?
Yes, you can eat the cashew fruit, also known as the cashew apple. This fascinating and flavorful part of the cashew tree is native to tropical regions in Brazil, India, and Africa. The cashew apple is not only edible but can also be used in various culinary applications, from fresh consumption to juice and even alcoholic beverages such as cashew wine.
What is a Cashew Apple?
The cashew apple is the swollen stem of the cashew tree and is usually red or yellow in color. It has a juicy, sweet, and slightly tangy flavor, resembling a combination of a pear and a bell pepper. Despite its appeal, the cashew apple is perishable and not widely available in markets outside of cashew-growing regions.
How to Enjoy Cashew Apples
The cashew apple can be consumed raw or used in different recipes. You can savor it fresh, blend it into juices, or use it to craft unique alcoholic beverages such as cashew wine.
Precautions and Processing
It's important to note that the cashew nut, which grows at the end of the cashew apple, is toxic when raw due to the presence of urushiol, the same substance found in poison ivy. The nuts must be roasted or processed to remove the toxin before they can be safely consumed.
The Worst Tasting Fruit: A Case Study
Some individuals have described their experience with the cashew apple as extremely unpleasant. For instance, the durian, a notorious fruit known for its distinct smell and taste, is considered one of the world's toughest fruits to appreciate. However, one person's experience with a cashew apple was even worse.
The description goes like this: 'The worst tasting fruit I've ever had. Imagine stuffing a softer Asian pear inside an over-ripe bell pepper. The texture is fibrous like the area near an apple core but not woody, making it edible and not causing gum pain. The taste is peculiar and can be described as a mix of bell pepper and durian, with a flesh that tastes like durian, red pear, and manure-treated woodchips. There is a strawberry note that is more fragrant than a taste and a cashew taste reminiscent of bad breath. The fruit also has a strong, unripe persimmon/mango mouth-drying effect. It was absolutely horrible.'
This individual found the experience so abhorrent that they rated it a 0/100 and did not recommend trying the fruit. The only positive aspect was that the juice might taste good on its own, similar to a clear fruit and veggie smoothie.
Interestingly, the consumption of the cashew apple led to mild irritation, with the lips becoming itchy and slightly puffy. However, this individual noted that they do not typically experience such reactions to other foods like ginkgo, mangos, poison ivy, or poison oak, making this reaction somewhat peculiar.
Conclusion
The cashew apple is a unique and interesting fruit with a distinctive taste and texture. While it is not for everyone, those who enjoy it can benefit from its sweet and juicy nature. However, those with a dislike for the fruit may find it challenging to appreciate. Always ensure that cashew nuts are properly processed before consumption to avoid any potential health risks.