Cashews – Organic, Whole, Raw

Raw Organic Cashews are naturally sweet and creamy, making them a versatile ingredient for both snacking and cooking. Organically grown and carefully harvested, these cashews offer a silky texture and rich flavor that pairs perfectly with sweet or savory recipes.

Ideal for plant-based milks, sauces, baked goods, and dairy-free alternatives like cashew cheese, raw organic cashews are a staple in modern kitchens. Convenient and delicious, they provide a simple way to enjoy this classic seed in its purest form.

Cashews: A Great Survival Food

Many survival experts consider cashews a top food choice, especially during the cold winter months. These experts believe that the average recommended daily caloric intake of 2000-2500 calories in a winter survival situation or if you spend a significant amount of time outdoors during the winter months needs to be revised.

Therefore, in most survival books, it is common to read about the need for much higher calories (up to three times the average) to support the “internal furnace” burning to provide the warmth and nourishment to keep you healthy and safe.

Cashews are a quality source of dense calories and nourishment, especially fats.  

Approximately 75% of their fat is unsaturated fatty acids, plus about 75% of this unsaturated fatty acid content is oleic acid, the same heart-healthy monounsaturated fat found in olive oil. It is well known that fats (when used correctly) can be an efficient and sustainable energy source in specific situations. According to the Merck manual, they are not only the slowest burning source of energy but the most energy-efficient form of food, providing more than twice the calories of protein or carbohydrates per gram. 

Fats are also a great survival food source because they are a more appropriate choice for low to moderate activity intensity levels, which is essential to be conscious of when surviving in harsh conditions. You want to be cautious about how you use your energy reserves. At rest and during activity performed at or below 65% of aerobic capacity, fat makes up at least 50 percent of the fuel our muscles need. It also may support a level of endurance through sparing glycogen reserves. Generally speaking, intensity decreases as the time spent moving increases; this is where fats may be considered the more vital fuel source.

Magnesium: The unsung hero of the mineral world

Cashews are a quality source of the miracle mineral; magnesium. Magnesium plays numerous critical roles throughout the body and is a cofactor in more than 300 biochemical enzymatic reactions supporting human health.

Human studies have linked magnesium to supporting healthy memory, blood pressure and possibly reducing risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome. Magnesium may also help support a healthy nervous system for a more calming and peaceful mindset.

A systemic review and meta-analysis of five studies were done to examine the effects of daily cashew consumption on blood pressure and cardiovascular risk factors. These studies had just under 500 participants; approximately half received a placebo. Overall results showed a significantly positive effect on blood pressure and triglyceride levels from cashew consumption and no significant impact of other cardiometabolic factors. It was concluded that while more studies are warranted, incorporating cashews into one’s diet can improve blood pressure and triglyceride levels.

A randomized, crossover, controlled-feeding trial showed that daily consumption of cashews substituted for a high-carbohydrate snack might support healthy LDL and total cholesterol levels.

Finally, a review titled Nut Consumption and age-related disease discussed the relationship between nut consumption and metabolic, neurological, and immune conditions. The following facts were stated in this review.

• The underlying mechanisms appear to include antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions, particularly related to their mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids (MUFA and PUFA) and vitamin and polyphenol content).
• Monounsaturated fatty acids have been demonstrated to improve pancreatic beta-cell function and regulate postprandial glycemia and insulin sensitivity.
• Polyunsaturated fatty acids may act on the central nervous system protecting neuronal and cell-signaling function and maintenance.
• The fiber and mineral content of nuts may also confer health benefits.

It was therefore concluded that nuts show promise as valuable adjuvants to prevent, delay or alleviate many chronic conditions in older people.

Cashews: A Versatile Food

We currently live in a world where many people (vegans, vegetarians, and the lactose intolerant) are looking for quality, sustainable alternatives to dairy foods that are often the base of classic comfort foods and childhood favorites like mac & cheese, salad dressings, and the creamy cheese in lasagna. These alternatives have a big pair of shoes to fill regarding taste, texture, and versatility. Make no mistake, the nourishing qualities of fresh or aged dairy foods have a unique set of attributes that can’t be compared to any other foods. Cashews, however, have proven to be an excellent source as an alternative to those foods primarily because their fat content allows for a creamy, silky, delicious texture similar to whole-fat milk and cheese. Unlike fresh dairy foods, cashews have a long storage life, and all you need is some water and a blender/food processor to make the magic happen.

Cashews: A TCM Perspective

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), all foods have energy. While in Western medicine, we are taught about the protein, carbs, and fat content of food, TCM teaches us that foods have Yin/ Yang energy, five temperatures, five flavors, and four directions. In these principles, Yin and Yang’s action is the general property, and temperature is the extremeness of the properties. In simple terms, Yin is cooling, builds blood, and has downward moving energy. Yang is warming, energizing, and has an upward-moving energy.

Cashews are considered slightly warm, sweet, and sour. In TCM, the sweet taste tonifies, moistens, and guides Qi to the spleen.

While the sweet taste is considered Yang, it also has a Yin aspect to moisten, increase fluids to tissues, and relax the body. The sour flavor is related to anger, heat, and the liver and is considered Yin. Cashews are specifically nourishing to the kidney(winter) and lung(fall) meridians and are best eaten in small amounts during the fall and winter due to their heavy nature.TCM also believes avoiding them in hot(moist or dry, summer) weather is best due to their slower digestion time.

Summary of important information

Z Natural Foods hand-picks specific ingredients for our customers to provide the best quality product based on three factors.

1. Versatility
2. History of safe and effective usage
3. Strong evidence of positive research outcomes in humans

Cashews: A Great Survival Food

1. Many survival experts consider cashews a top food choice, especially during the cold winter months.
2. These experts believe that the average recommended daily caloric intake of 2000-2500 calories in a winter survival situation or if you spend a significant amount of time outdoors during the winter months needs to be revised.
3. Therefore, in most survival books, it is common to read about the need for much higher calories (up to three times the average) to support the “internal furnace” burning to provide the warmth and nourishment to keep you healthy and safe.
4. Cashews are a quality source of dense calories and nourishment, especially fats.  Approximately 75% of their fat is unsaturated fatty acids, plus about 75% of this unsaturated fatty acid content is oleic acid, the same heart-healthy monounsaturated fat found in olive oil.
5. It is well known that fats(when used correctly)can be an efficient and sustainable energy source in specific situations. According to the Merck manual, they are not only the slowest burning source of energy but the most energy-efficient form of food, providing more than twice the calories of protein or carbohydrates per gram.
6. Fats are also a great survival food source because they are a more appropriate choice for low to moderate activity intensity levels, which is essential to be conscious of when surviving in harsh conditions.
7. You want to be cautious about how you use your energy reserves. At rest and during activity performed at or below 65% of aerobic capacity, fat makes up at least 50 percent of the fuel our muscles need.
8. It also may support a level of endurance through sparing glycogen reserves. Generally speaking, intensity decreases as the time spent moving increases; this is where fats may be considered the more vital fuel source.

Magnesium: The unsung hero of the mineral world

1. Cashews are a quality source of the miracle mineral; magnesium. Magnesium plays numerous critical roles throughout the body and is a cofactor in more than 300 biochemical enzymatic reactions supporting human health. Human studies have linked magnesium to supporting healthy memory, blood pressure and possibly reducing risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome. Magnesium may also help support a healthy nervous system for a more calming and peaceful mindset.
2. A systemic review and meta-analysis of five studies were done to examine the effects of daily cashew consumption on blood pressure and cardiovascular risk factors. These studies had just under 500 participants; approximately half received a placebo. Overall results showed a significantly positive effect on blood pressure and triglyceride levels from cashew consumption and no significant impact of other cardiometabolic factors. It was concluded that while more studies are warranted, incorporating cashews into one’s diet can improve blood pressure and triglyceride levels.
3. A randomized, crossover, controlled-feeding trial showed that daily consumption of cashews substituted for a high-carbohydrate snack might support healthy LDL and total cholesterol levels.

Cashews: A Versatile Food: We currently live in a world where many people (vegans, vegetarians, and the lactose intolerant) are looking for quality, sustainable alternatives to dairy foods that are often the base of classic comfort foods and childhood favorites like mac & cheese, salad dressings, and the creamy cheese in lasagna.

1. These alternatives have a big pair of shoes to fill regarding taste, texture, and versatility. Make no mistake, the nourishing qualities of fresh or aged dairy foods have a unique set of attributes that can’t be compared to any other foods. Cashews, however, have proven to be an excellent source as an alternative to those foods primarily because their fat content allows for a creamy, silky, delicious texture similar to whole-fat milk and cheese.
2. Unlike fresh dairy foods, cashews have a long storage life, and all you need is some water and a blender/food processor to make the magic happen.

Cashews: A TCM Perspective: According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), all foods have energy.

1. While in Western medicine, we are taught about the protein, carbs, and fat content of food, TCM teaches us that foods have Yin/ Yang energy, five temperatures, five flavors, and four directions.
2. In these principles, Yin and Yang’s action is the general property, and temperature is the extremeness of the properties.
3. In simple terms, Yin is cooling, builds blood, and has downward moving energy. Yang is warming, energizing, and has an upward-moving energy.
4. Cashews are considered slightly warm, sweet, and sour. In TCM, the sweet taste tonifies, moistens, and guides Qi to the spleen.
5. While the sweet taste is considered Yang, it also has a Yin aspect to moisten, increase fluids to tissues, and relax the body.
6. The sour flavor is related to anger, heat, and the liver and is considered Yin.
7. Cashews are specifically nourishing to the kidney(winter) and lung(fall) meridians and are best eaten in small amounts during the fall and winter due to their heavy nature. TCM also believes avoiding them in hot(moist or dry, summer) weather is best due to their slower digestion time.

 

Some research suggests that Cashews may contain the following constituents:

1. Minerals: Magnesium, Phosphorus, Zinc
2. Vitamins: Vitamin C, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B-6, Folate, Vitamin A (RAE), Vitamin E (Alpha), Vitamin K
3. Essential Fatty Acids– Omega 3 and omega 6
4. Amino Acids: Tryptophan, Threonine, Alanine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Cystine, Phenylalanine, Tyrosine, Valine, Arginine, Histidine, Aspartic acid, Glutamic acid, Glycine, Proline, Serine
5. Sterols: Campesterol, Stigmasterol, Beta-sitosterol

100% natural and minimally processed

This product is 100% natural and minimally processed. Taste, smell, texture, and color vary from batch to batch.

Suggested Use: Eat by the handful or add to homemade trail mix.

Mixing suggestion: To increase flavor and nutritional profile, combine with our 70% dark chocolate chips and shredded organic coconut.

Miscellaneous Facts about our Raw Organic Cashews

Certifications: Certified USDA Organic.

Ingredients: Raw Whole Cashews.

Botanical Name: Anacardium occidentale.

Other Names: Cashew Nut, Cashu, Cajou, Gajus, Maranon, Merey, Kaju, East Indian Almond, Anacardos.

Origin: Grown in Vietnam. Packaged with care in Florida, USA.