Tuesday’s Cupful: Cashews

U-shaped nuts that help build bones

Cashew nuts (Anacardium occidentale) are actually the seeds found in the fruits (cashew apples) of cashew trees. They are native to Brazil; however, cashew nuts have spread to tropical regions around the world and are used in many cuisines. Cashew nuts need extra processing to remove the resin that coats each nut, and they are always sold shelled. Otherwise, the nuts are inedible. Look for cashew nuts that are sold in vacuum-sealed containers or packages. As expected, these nuts contain a lot of monounsaturated fats. Unlike most other nuts, cashews are a good source of magnesium, which is essential for building strong bones.