How to roast cashew nuts
Posted in beans, Chinese, Featured Articles, How to, nuts, snacks, Vegetarian, Western
I love eating all kinds of tree nuts. Once I start munching them, I can never put a stop to it. Yes, I can go nuts on nuts! So too is my hubby. We are “NUTTY” people! 
During festive seasons, we see wide selection of processed nuts at the supermarkets. We will be spoilt by choices. For the premium brands, the prices are not cheap as well. Because of that, we only consumed them sparingly and selectively.
Recently I chanced upon a great recipe on how to roast cashew nuts in a newspaper. The steps are super-duper straight-forward except that it takes an hour to roast the nuts. One must also keep an eye on the nuts to avoid over-roasting. Since then, we got to enjoy this healthy snack, by the kilos with huge savings. A kg of high quality cashew nuts only cost S$16. With the approaching Christmas and Chinese New Year, these DIY roasted nuts are ideal for serving to family and friends. Don’t you agree?
There is, however, a note of caution. Tree nuts (walnuts, almonds, pecan, pistachio, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts and cashews) and peanuts (legume) may pose allergy and choking hazard to baby and toddlers. Last December, my 4-year old son had developed an asthmatic cough after consuming some grounded peanuts. Although he has fully recovered, we were advised by a pediatrician that he should avoid peanuts until he is older. So parents, remember to consult your pediatrician before introducing any kind of food that may pose risk of allergy to your kids, more so if your family has history of nuts allergy or other food allergies. (for further reading, please click here.)
Below is some useful information about cashew nuts I found from internet that I would like to share with you:
Health benefits of eating cashew nuts:
- Cashew nuts are cholesterol-free and rich in heart-protective monounsaturated fats. Because of this, they help support healthy levels of low good (HDL) cholesterol. With 37.7 % of the daily recommended value of monounsaturated fats, cashew nuts can reduce triglyceride levels in diabetics, protecting them from further complications.
- Cashew is a great antioxidant. With it high copper content, cashew nuts helps the body utilize iron, eliminate free radicals, develop bone and connective tissue, and produce the skin and hair pigment melanin. Copper is vital in energy production and antioxidant defenses, producing greater flexibility in blood vessels, bones and joints.
- Cashew nuts’ high magnesium content helps to protect against high blood pressure, lower risk of heart disease and promote normal sleep patterns in menopausal woman. Magnesium also works with calcium to support healthy muscles and bones in the human body.
- Cashew nuts, like other nuts, have been associated with a reduced risk of gallstone diseases.
- Cashew nuts have a high energy density and high amount of dietary fiber, both which have been attributed to a beneficial effect on weight management, but only when eaten in moderation.
- Cashew nuts helps to maintain healthy gum and teeth.
- Cashew nuts are considered to be a “low-fat nut” as compared to other tree nuts such as almonds, walnuts, peanuts and pecan. They are also a good source of oleic acid, the same fatty acid that makes olive oil so heart healthy.
Type of cashew nuts:
- The Brazilian cashew is the largest, softest and whitest cashew. Some find them sweeter or richer in taste.
- Cashews from India are smaller and crispier. They can be either sweet or bland. They are more ivory in color. Do you know that India is the largest producer and exporter of cashew kernels in the world?
- Vietnam cashew pieces are extremely sweet. Those nuts shown in this posting are the produce of Vietnam.
How to select:
- Whether purchasing cashews in bulk or in a packaged container, make sure that there is no evidence of moisture or damage by insects and that they are not shriveled.
Storage tips:
- Due to their high content of oleic acid, cashew nuts are more stable at room temperature. Hence, they should be stored in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator, where they will keep for about six months, or in the freezer, where they will keep for about one year.
How much cashew nut to eat:
- Eat 18 medium cashew nuts in one serving (30 grams). Don’t eat more than 3 servings per week. If you need to gain weight, then you can add 2 more servings to your weekly intake. Always ensure that you are replacing other dietary fats. By simply adding the cashew nuts to your diet, you will add extra calories to your diet.
How to maximise the benefits of cashew nuts:
- Avoid salted, oil-roasted cashew nuts to reduce sodium and added fats in the diet. Choose the plain variety and roast them yourself (without adding oil) by following the instructions in my post. For a bit of variety, add cashew nuts to your favourite stir-fry recipe.
Source:
– Organic cashew nuts
– Cashew.in – The Cashew Nut WWW Database
– Health 24 – Nuts
– Healthy Benefits of Cashew Nuts
– WHFoods: Cashews
>> Click on page 2 below for step-by-step instructions on how to roast cashew nuts………..
If you like this article, please share:
57 Comments
Leave a comment to food-4tots
I am a nut fan too! 🙂
The pictures are really stunning!
Angie: You are so kind with words. Tks! 😉
Looks great, what a good idea! I eat nuts sparingly too, right now I’m eating pistachio. 🙂
Ching: Tks! You’re making me craving for some now. LOL!
I love cashew nuts. Good to learn how to roast them! 🙂
Lee Mei: It really saves a lot to roast them yourself. Do give it a try. 😉
I can also go nuts on nuts! 😀 It is such a good way to roast cashewnuts, especially during festive season. Agreed! Can save your pocket a lot. Nice little nutty!
Alice: *Hi 5* My friend! Can’t agree more with you! Remember to roast some for me this coming Christmas yeah? 😉
hahahhaa…. nutty fellows!! 🙂
NKOTB: How about you? Do you love nuts too? 😉
[…] the original post: How to roast cashew nuts | Food-4Tots | Recipes for Toddlers Share […]
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Andy Dinsmore and Joanne Loh, Lai Kuan. Lai Kuan said: Do you love cashew nuts? Want to enjoy this healthy snack with huge saving? http://bit.ly/1PrNcB […]
That’s so interesting! I didn’t know that the nuts have to be cooked in water before roasting. Thanks for sharing the recipe, my hubby is a “nutty” person too, and I’m sure he’ll be thrilled to have homemade roast nuts!
Piggy: This method is new to me too. Do let me know the feedback after trying! 😉
Thanks for sharing. Your frame by frame method really makes me 大开眼界。
Anncoo: 谢谢你的赞赏！I’m blushed now. 😉
I Really like to eat cashew! I’d buy cashew to eat even though they are quite expensive here. Hehe…
Your post on choosing and cooking cashew is fantastic and helpful.
Christine: Tks! I also used to buy roasted cashews before discovering this method but not anymore in future. 😉
Do you know you can eat them raw? Its sweet and minus the cholesterol 😛 Of course they are nicer (I don’t feel much difference) roasted.
KK: Yeah, my friend’s daughter is one of them. I should give it a try in future. Tks for your sharing. 😉
Do you also know that raw cashew nuts are poisonous? I was shock when I saw a poster at Botanic Gardens saying that these nuts are poisonous when raw.
Healthnut: Yes, you are right. According to WHFood (http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=98#safetyissues), the interior of the shells contains a caustic resin, known as cashew balm, which must be carefully removed before the nuts are fit for consumption. This caustic resin is actually used in industry to make varnishes and insecticides. The raw ones I mentioned are shelled by the supplier (as we can’t shell and eat them like other nuts as mentioned in this article – http://www.tropicalpermaculture.com/growing-cashews.html). Thus, they are fit for consumption.
wonderful pictures! and you do make it seem so easy 😉
Diva: Tks! It’s really easier than you thought. Worth to give it a try. 😉
Beautiful! Love all sorts of nuts!
Pigpigscorner: That’s great. Hope this method is useful to you. 😉
Why do you think i call myself peanutts hehehe, although hehehe. In places like india and pakistan there are people pushing carts of nuts and they roast them for you when you buy them. You have worked a lot setting up those photoes, they look great!
Peanutts: Now I understand why. LOL! Do you find these carts in Malaysia? Tks for your kind words. 😉
Roasting your own nuts is a great idea! And, they’re so delicious when still warm.
Lisa: Yeah, you’re right. 😉
I miss the old kachang putei man outside the cinemas (am I giving my age away?) I tend to be lazy and just buy the ready roasted nuts, but thanks for providing the tips to do it ourselves!
Christine: Hey, me too! If not mistaken, I can still find them in Penang. This method is really easy-peasy. With just a little bit of efforts, you get to save a lot of $$$$$! LOL! 😉
yum yum!! my family absolutely loves nuts especially cashew nuts and macadamia nuts! but like you said, its expensive to buy the roasted ones from the store. i’ll definitely be trying this out! 🙂
Lingzie: Do give it a try! It will be a great surprise if you can roast some for them. 😉
I love all type of nuts! luckily my daughter can take any kind of nuts like her mother! what a pretty presentation and info!
Beachlover: It’s great that both of you share the same interest in nuts. Tks!
Food Art! 😀
Dora: Hahaha! Tks for your compliment! 😉
So clever of you to use a bowl and chopsticks! I would never have thought of it. Cashews aside, I have to agree with Angie – the photography is stunning.
The Little Teochew: Tks! Tks! Just a simple trick. You can do it now. 😉
You are going nuts, I am too!
Just bought a big pack of mixed nuts yesterday – cashews, walnuts, almonds, pecans, almonds….
Tigerfish: So many types of nuts? I want some too! 😉
I’m going nuts over nuts too! hehe … Really love the aroma of roasted nuts, it’s so heavenly 🙂
Noobcook: Yeah, it really tastes heaven! 😉
Hi. Love your blog and most of the food blogs out there. Its an inspiration. I would like roasting nuts for CNY. Does this method applies to all nuts, eg. walnuts, peanuts, almonds, and hazelnuts?
Julia: Really appreciate your kind words. I haven’t tried it with other nuts. Maybe you can do a google search to find out more before trying. Sorry, can’t help much. If you’ve the solution, do share with me yeah. 😉
I have a bag of cashew nuts still in the shell. How do I roast them? When I was a child we used to do it on a piece of galvanize over an open fire in the backyard.
Sandra: Thanks for dropping by. I haven’t tried roasting cashew nuts with shell. According to WHFoods, the interior of the cashew nut shells contains a caustic resin, known as cashew balm, which must be carefully removed before the nuts are fit for consumption. This caustic resin is actually used in industry to make varnishes and insecticides. Maybe you can read through this article on how to remove the shells from the cashew nuts. Hope it helps. 😉
Thanks for sharing how to roast cashew nuts. I bought some raw cashew nuts meant for Kung Po Chicken but had no inkling how to use them until my research on the internet direct me to your blog. I tried it and the nuts were so tasty we forgot to add them into the Kung Po: ate it just the way it is… yum!
Annie: Thanks for your kind feedback. I just roasted one batch (with XL size) yesterday. They are my family favourite snack now. 😉
Hi, Roasted the cashew nuts yesterday but it is soft not crispy. Under Method 2 – when the water boils, add salt, cashew nuts “DO WE SWITCH OFF THE FIRE” or let it continue boiling until all the cashew nuts float up then pour away the water. Can we use a ladle to stir the cashew nuts in the boiling water. Do we roast it on high heat for the first half hour then reduce the heat.
Many thanks if you could help with these questions as I love cashew nuts and want to try roasting cashew nuts again.
Pearl: Thanks for your kind feedback. Yes, let the water continue boiling until you see some (not all) of the cashew nuts floating on the surface of the water. You can use a ladle to stir but it’s optional. Btw, what is the reason you want to stir the nuts? It’s not advisable to roast nut on high heat as it may damage the nut’s delicate fats as mentioned in this link – http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=george&dbid=104. After roasting for one hour, test the nuts. If it is not crispy, then roast it for another 10-15 minutes at 120C. Put your tray on the middle rack or one level up during roasting. Spread the nuts on 1 single layer. Do not over-crowd them. Remember not to over-roast the nuts. Hope this helps and let me know how it goes on your 2nd attempt. 😉
why do we have to boil the cashew nuts before roasting?
Many thanks
Wah: That’s a good question!! Unfortunately, the original recipe didn’t elaborate on this step. I think boiling cashew nuts in well salted water will bring out extra aroma to the nuts during roasting as compared to direct roasting method (without adding salt). This is merely my personal intepretation. If you have other findings, please share with me. Thanks! 😉
[…] What you need (adapted from Food4Tots) […]
I have a big bag of cashew nuts(3 kilos) bought in the grocery but it got exposed and become soft and not crispy. What shall i do to make it crispy again?
Precy: Are they raw or roasted? If they are roasted, I’m not sure whether cashew nuts are suitable to be roasted twice. I’m also concerned about the nutrients if you do so. If you don’t like to eat soft cashew nuts, you can blend them into jam just like how I made my peanut butter jam. You can mix cashew with peanut too. Start with a small amount first to see whether it suits your palate. Hope it helps! 🙂