Cashew plants contain a toxic substance called urushiol in the plants’ leaves. This substance is also found in between the nut and the shell, making shelling these nuts a highly skilled and sometimes hazardous process. This is why it would be a terrible idea (not to mention very illegal) to ship cashews to consumers in their shells.

Dec 6, 2023 · Up until today it never dawned on me that cashews don’t actually have shells. They have a corrosive coating that has to be done carefully as the toxic oils are toxic. Cashews grow on trees in a fruit-like shell.

Cashew is the common name of a tropical evergreen tree Anacardium occidentale, in the family Anacardiaceae. It is native to South America and is the source of the cashew nut and the cashew apple, an accessory fruit.

Nov 19, 2018 · In order to protect customers from skin allergies, cashew nuts are removed from their shells because the seed contain a harmful substance called urushiol and also the shells have a lining that is filled with this toxic fluid, so that is the reason why cashews are not …

Jul 18, 2023 · Cashews in their shell have a unique and intriguing appearance. Encased in a kidney-shaped shell, they feature a distinctive, curved shape, with one end being broader and the other narrower. The shell’s color is light gray or beige, often with some brownish spots.

Mar 24, 2014 · Needless to say, shelling cashews is something that needs to be done very carefully and not by consumers. Despite the need for care in shelling cashews, it’s still often done by hand, much to the chagrin of the workers involved, particularly in poorer nations where safety equipment is often lacking.

Sep 6, 2013 · Why aren't cashews sold in the shell? Anacardiaceae. Cashews, Anacardium occidentale are in the same family as poison ivy and poison sumac. Like those plants, the cashew plant contains powerful...

Mar 13, 2025 · The primary reason cashews are never sold in their shell is due to the presence of a toxic oil called urushiol. This potent substance, found within the cashew’s double shell, is the same irritant that causes the agonizing rash from poison ivy and poison oak.

Aug 19, 2019 · It turns out there's a very good reason cashews aren't sold in their shells, and even if they were, you wouldn't want to touch them. The truth is, cashews aren't even nuts. They're actually fruit from a cashew tree. If you were to see a cashew before picking, you'd find it attached to an apple-shaped object in a tree.

May 5, 2024 · If you have ever wondered whether cashews come in a shell, you’re not alone. Cashews are one of the most popular nuts in the world, known for their creamy taste and versatility. However, unlike many other nuts like almonds or pistachios, cashews do not come in a shell that needs to be cracked.