The cashew tree is a tropical evergreen that produces the cashew nut and the cashew apple. Officially classed as Anacardium occidentale; it can grow as high as 14 metres (46 ft); but the dwarf cashew; growing up to 6 metres (20 ft); has proved more profitable; with earlier maturity and higher yields.

The cashew nut is served as a snack or used in recipes; like other nuts; although it is actually a seed. The cashew apple is a fruit; whose pulp can be processed into a sweet; astringent fruit drink or distilled into liqueur.

The shell of the cashew nut yield derivatives that can be used in many applications from lubricants to paints; and other parts of the tree have traditionally been used for snake-bites and other folk remedies.

Originally native to northeastern Brazil; the tree is now widely grown in tropical regions; Vietnam and Nigeria being major producers. Pictures From History Vintage Printable