Do you know why cashews cannot be eaten raw?

Have you noticed that cashews are always sold toasted? Whole cashews are usually traded with the nuts together, but it is not a good idea to eat them fresh. The reason is because it has a double shell that contains a toxin called Urushiol. To give you an idea, this toxic substance is the same as that found in poison ivy.

The toxin contains an allergenic agent that greatly irritates the skin, causing inflammation. For this reason, workers who remove the bark may have injured hands with very painful cracks. If you happen to buy a cashew and decide to do the same at home, remember to be very careful and put on a glove.

Image Source: Shutterstock

According to research, this toxin can even be lethal, depending on the amount and if the nut is consumed raw by people with organisms more sensitive to the substance.

For these reasons, it is necessary that the nut goes through a high heat process for the toxin to be eliminated. The natives roast the chestnut directly in the fire to remove the so-called "Cashew Nut Liquid" or LCC, which is nothing but the urushiol-containing liquid. After cooling, they break the shell to remove the almond that will be consumed.

The industrialized process, in turn, goes through more stages, in which washing and humidification, cooking, cooling, peel rupture and stewing are done. After all this, the consumption of this delicious chestnut is released. Remember that this food is rich in fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, iron, copper and zinc, phosphorus and sodium.