Best Cashews (Dec. 2024) - Rated by CherryPicks' Experts

Cashew Buying Guide - What You Need to Know!

Contrary to the name, cashew nuts are actually seeds. Cashew apple trees have natural, delicious fruit which have a high nutritional value. They don’t only provide plenty of fibre, vitamins and minerals but also help with weight management. As well as all those benefits, they are also beautiful to look at! Most of the health benefits connected to avocado are down to their antioxidants and fatty acids. They have high levels of iron, magnesium and phosphorus.

Raw cashews are very poisonous, and cannot be eaten without processing. Use caution when dealing with raw cashews. However, they are nutritious and scrumptious once they have been processed, giving you many potent health benefits. 

Health Benefits of Cashew Nuts

Cashew nuts are a great addition to any healthy diet. You might be surprised to learn that they can help lower bad cholesterol and maintain good cholesterol!

Cashews promote heart health

Cashews are a great source of antioxidants. They are beneficial for heart health.

Studies have found that cashews and other nuts are rich in phytosterols and phenolic compounds, which are excellent for heart health. Cashew nuts are rich in unsaturated fatty acids and contain low levels of saturated fatty acids. This type of food removes toxins in order to keep your heart healthy.

In a study of over 9000 people, scientists found that those with the highest nut intake were less likely to get coronary heart disease. Evidence has shown that consuming nuts five times a week can help lower the risk of heart disease.

Cashews, while they have a relatively higher number of calories than other nuts, are not a bad choice if you’re looking to maintain or lose weight. One study has shown that when it comes to nuts, more isn't always better. Increased nut consumption doesn't correlate to increased waist size or a higher BMI. Eating nuts may have some benefits, so it's probably worth considering adding them to your diet despite the increased calorie intake.

Cashew nuts lower cholesterol

"Cashew nuts are one of the best natural sources for omega-3 & 6 fatty acids, which in turn improves heart health," said a nutritionist.

One trial, conducted in 2017, has shown that high levels of monounsaturated fat acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids can get your levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol to a healthier level. LDL cholesterol is the bad cholesterol that you don’t want. In fact, eating saturated fats in cashews doesn't impact your blood fat levels at all.

Studies show swapping in cashews instead of high-carb snacks can help maintain optimal cholesterol levels.

Cashews can naturally lower blood pressure levels

Cashews' mineral content can help to regulate blood pressure and may prove beneficial to those with high blood pressure.

A randomized, controlled study from 2018 showed that eating more cashew nuts can help reduce systolic blood pressure without leading to extra weight gain. The trial looked at 300 adults with type 2 diabetes. These 300 participants were split up into two groups and given a diet for diabetes to follow for 12 weeks. One group also consumed cashews. They ate 30 grams per day. When the trial was over, the group who ate cashews demonstrated less blood pressure & higher levels of HDL cholesterol (the good kind).

Cashews help manage diabetes symptoms

Cashews are among the healthy nuts that help with controlling blood glucose levels, leading to better control of symptoms related to type 2 diabetes.

Scientific research published in the journal Nutrients suggests that nut consumption--including Brazil nuts, cashews, hazels and almonds--helps manage type 2 diabetes. Nuts showed to have small benefits on controlling blood sugar and reducing glucose levels after consuming a meal.

Other studies have shown that cashew nut extract increases glucose uptake and the potential to be an alternative natural treatment for diabetes.

Minerals in cashews strengthen bones

Cashew nuts are high in vitamin K and minerals like zinc, which help boost a healthy metabolism and may even prevent conditions like osteoporosis.

A report published in 2016 said that nuts such as cashews are a great source of magnesium. They keep your bones healthy, too! 2 ounces of cashew nuts provides around 160 mg of magnesium, which is the equivalent to around 40% of this nutrient's recommended daily intake.

Cashews also have healthy levels of vitamin K, which is important for strong bones. Recent studies have shown that almost half of people don’t get enough vitamin K. A vitamin K deficiency is associated with low bone mass density and increased risk of fractures. Two ounces of cashew nuts contains around 19 mg of vitamin K, which is around 25% of the recommended intake.

Cashews help to lose weight

It’s not uncommon to hear people being told that nuts make you overeat and gain weight. The reality is that they can help you to lose weight, when combined with a proper weight-loss program.

Most people avoid nuts when dieting and trying to lose weight because they have so many calories and fat needs. A cup of cashews has around 700 calories and 57 grams of fat.

Cashews, for example, are bursting with protein and fat. Their rich fats and minerals make them a perfect snack for fueling your body. Studies have shown that the average person with a penchant for nuts can reduce their risk of obesity with an intake of around 2 servings per week.

A one ounce serving of cashews contains 90 calories, 9 grams of fat, and 3 grams of carbohydrates. They're great for people with diabetes or wanting to prevent diabetes.

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition states that there is no link between eating nuts and gaining weight.

Cashews can be an awesome, filling mid-morning or afternoon snack that provide long-lasting satisfaction.

4 Things To Consider When Buying Cashews

Intended Use

It's not easy to discern which variety of cashew is the best. However, before you make your purchase, consider what you plan to do with the nuts.If you are planning to cook, roast cashews yourself, or eat them as-is, you may look for raw cashews if you do not want to buy pre-cooked and roasted ones. These will have different color, smell, and flavor profiles than cashews that have been roasted. It can be hard to know where to begin when trying to get started. Maybe start by searching for recipes similar to what you want to make and seeing which ingredients you need!

Will you be storing your cashews in bulk, or in separate (pre-packaged) containers? If you want to eat cashews often or use them in a lot of your cooking, you should buy a lot of them at one time. But, if you plan to use the cashews sparingly, then you may want to think about using a more economical way of preserving them. For example, vacuum sealing them in an airtight bag or jar.

Cashew Size and Wholeness

The size of cashews is often used as a measure of their quality. That's why most quality control measures grade on a scale of kernels per kilo. Larger cashews, often called jumbo cashews, tend to have a much better flavor per piece. You can use smaller pieces to create garnishes or cashew flour, but jumbo cashews should be bought whole and large.

Mass-manufactured cashews will often contain a lot of halves, pieces, or broken cashews in what should be a bag of whole nuts. Often these are mixed in when pieces are overcooked, poorly harvested or at the bottom of the pile. Cashew 'nuts' do not have the same flavour or care as whole cashews. If you want cashew halves or broken pieces, buy them instead of settling for a mixed bag of nuts that are being recycled in the form of cashews.

Cashew Color

Whether cashews are roasted or not, the color might change but it indicates about their quality. Cashews that look more brown and less white are usually more flavorful. However, be careful of dark color as it might mean they were roasted in fat. I would recommend opting for something light and warm looking.

Taste and Texture

Well, if you're in the process of deciding which food product to invest in, one of the main considerations is which one has the best quality. Jumbo cashews are delicious with a creamy texture that complements your snacks and meals. We taste the nut and look at it to see if there's any sweetness. If so, that means they're fresh. We then test the saltiness to make sure it isn't too high, which means the salts might be dried out or preservatives could have been used.

Poor quality, raw cashews sometimes contain a “fishy” taste due to improper handling. When cooked for too long, the taste may get burned, including a fishy flavor. One of the causes of a burnt flavour is using old oil.

A cashew's crunchiness can indicate production issues. If the nut is too soft, this may be a sign that their health has not been maintained.

FAQS

What is the best quality cashew?

'W-180, as the 'King of cashew' have a size and price that are uncommon for most nuts. W-210 is a grade often referred to as 'Jumbo'. A popularly desired purchase, especially at a reasonable price, is W-240. W-320 is the best of the cashew kernels, with world wide availability.

Which country has best quality cashew?

Tanzanian cashews are one of the best origins in the world. Despite the name, they really have nothing to do with the country of Tanzania.

What are the different grades of cashews?

Cashew Grades

• Cashews - White wholes
• Cashews - Scorched wholes.
• Cashews - Dessert wholes.
• Cashews - White pieces.
• Cashews - Scorched pieces
• Cashews - Dessert pieces.

Which cashew is better w320 or w450?

Price: The W320 cashew is less expensive on average than the W450, but because of high demand, it is often more expensive. W320 cashews are more popular than W450 cashews. Cashews are higher in fat than almonds which is why W320 has a ratio that is 60% higher.

How many cashews can I eat a day?

Nutritionists suggest limiting cashew nut intake to a maximum of 5-10 cashews per day in order to avoid weight gain. You can eat 15–30 cashew nuts a day. They're high in fat and, when combined with protein foods, they provide the necessary nutritional needs to lead a balanced lifestyle. We all need some good types of fat in our diets, and the right balance can help with your heart health.

Round Up of the Best Cashews (Verified to Buy)

• 1. PLANTERS Deluxe Lightly Salted Whole Cashews, Party Snacks, Plant-Based Protein...
• 2. PLANTERS Deluxe Salted Whole Cashews, Party Snacks, Plant-Based Protein 18.25oz...
• 3. Amazon Brand - Happy Belly Fancy Whole Cashews, Roasted &...
• 4. Member's Mark Roasted Whole Cashews with Sea Salt ( 33...
• 5. PLANTERS Deluxe Salted Whole Cashews, Party Snacks, Plant-Based Protein 33oz...
• 6. PLANTERS Fancy Whole Cashews with Sea Salt, 26 oz. Resealable...
• 7. Terrasoul Superfoods Organic Raw Whole Cashews, 32 oz./2lb
• 8. PLANTERS Salted Cashew Halves & Pieces, Party Snacks, Plant-Based Protein,...
• 9. Terrasoul Superfoods Organic Raw Cashews (Mylk Grade), 2 Pounds
• 10. Jiva Organics Raw Organic Cashews (Whole) 2 Pound Bag

Top 10 Cashews Brands on Amazon

Here is the list of top rated brands that evaluated by CherryPicks.

• Planters
• Happy Belly
• Europe Standard
• Terrasoul Superfoods
• Jiva Organics
• 365 by Whole Foods Market
• Kirkland Signature
• Spicy World
• Wickedly Prime
• We Got Nuts

Specific Cashews Guides

For more personalized Cashews guides to match for your different needs, check out the following pages,

Top 10 Cashews Sellers: CPR Seller Rank List

CPR sellers rank is based on CherryPicks-AI bestselling ranking system that helps us analyze each seller's sales trends. The List of top seller ranks is our in-house data, essential for our product ranking to help you make the right shopping choice.