The cashew nut, the third widely consumed edible tree nut, often thought to be a seed is actually a single seeded fruit of a tropical evergreen tree (anacardium occidentale), belonging to the family of anacardiaceae. This fruit develops over or dangles from a sweet tasting false fruit, which is of red or yellow colour depending on the variety and is used in the preparation of jams and jellies and for table purpose in some of the latin american countries and in west indies. In many parts of india, only the edible nut is used and the false fruit is often not effectively used.
