People are used to picking their favourite cashew snack or raw cashew from a supermarket shelf or grocery store without going into much detail about the nuts. Even though cashew nuts may look the same to most people, they vary in colour, size, and even shape.
Although there is only one species of cashew tree, different varieties of cashews make it such an exciting crop. Each cashew variety is unique and plays a significant role in cashew preferences in the market.
The varieties are mainly based on their origin. For instance, there is the Indian variety, which is primarily known for its large-sized nuts, high yields, and remarkable resistance to diseases. They are referred to Vengurla – 4, D-7010.
The Brazilian variety is well known for its rich, nutty taste and creamy nature. It easily adapts to different climates and is also resistant to diseases.
The African variety refers to the African cashew nuts such as NCL 8 that adapt well to African agro-climatic and soil conditions. It also has a high shelling compared to the other varieties and has high disease tolerance.