They come from the cashew tree (Anacardium occidentale), which is a tropical evergreen tree that produces the cashew seed(niut) and the cashew apple. The cashew nut is often consumed raw as a snack and is used in cooking whole for garnishing sweets or curries, or ground into a paste that forms a base of sauces for curries. Cashews have also recently been used to make dairy alternatives, such as cashew milk, cashew-based cheese and cashew-based cream sauces and sour cream. Cashews are rich in minerals and vitamins. They are also high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats and a good source of protein.

Its benefits including improving heart health, helping with weight management, reduces the risk of gallstones, and aids in bone health.