cashew apple

plant

Also known as: hypocarp

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Last updated

June 24, 2026

Quick Summary

The cashew apple is the pear-shaped, edible receptacle on which the cashew nut grows. It is an accessory fruit, meaning it is not the true fruit of the plant.12

The cashew plant (Anacardium occidentale) is an evergreen shrub or tree native to Brazil. It is cultivated for its curved seeds, known as cashew nuts, which are rich in oil and flavor. The cashew apple itself is used locally to make beverages, jams, and jellies.2

While the cashew apple is edible, parts of the cashew plant, including the resin between the shells of the fruit, can cause allergic reactions in some individuals, as it is related to poison ivy.2

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cashew
…swollen stem (hypocarp), called the cashew apple. The cashew apple, which is an accessory fruit (e.g., not a true fruit), is about three times as large as the true fruit and is reddish or yellow. The true fruit has two walls, or shells. The outer shell is smooth, thin, and…
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…swollen stem (hypocarp), called the cashew apple. The cashew apple, which is an accessory fruit (e.g., not a true fruit), is about three times as large as the true fruit and is reddish or yellow. The true fruit has two walls, or shells. The outer shell is smooth, thin, and…
Read More

Sapindales
Anacardiaceae
…the fruit proper is the cashew apple. The former is roasted and eaten, while the latter is crushed, strained, and added to water and sugar to make a refreshing drink consumed throughout tropical America.
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…the fruit proper is the cashew apple. The former is roasted and eaten, while the latter is crushed, strained, and added to water and sugar to make a refreshing drink consumed throughout tropical America.
Read More