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Cashews
Raw cashews from Vietnam and India's Konkan coast — W180 to W450 grades, for food manufacturers, snack brands, and plant-based producers.
Anacardium occidentale
Origin: Vietnam · India (Konkan Coast)
Product Overview
What makes a
great cashew?
The cashew ( Anacardium occidentale ) is a tropical tree native to Brazil, but today its most prized cultivation regions span Vietnam, India, Tanzania, and Côte d'Ivoire. Dense Origins sources predominantly from Vietnam — the world's largest cashew exporter — and from India's Konkan coast, where the warm, humid climate produces cashews with a distinctively rich, buttery flavour profile.
Raw, unroasted cashews are the B2B product of choice for food manufacturers. They arrive with their natural oils, flavours, and nutritional content intact — ready to be roasted, flavoured, pressed into cashew butter, blended into plant-based dairy, or further processed to specification. The internationally standardised W-grade system ensures buyers receive exactly the kernel size their process requires.
Dense Origins supplies food-grade raw cashews with third-party Certificate of Analysis verification, phytosanitary documentation, and flexible packaging — from 25 kg jute bags to custom private-label formats.
| Botanical Name | Anacardium occidentale |
| Origins Available | Vietnam, India (Goa, Maharashtra, Kerala) |
| Available Grades | W180, W210, W240, W320, W450 |
| Processing | Raw, unroasted (roasted available on request) |
| Moisture Content | ≤5% |
| Broken / Defective | ≤5% (grade dependent) |
| Colour | Ivory to light cream |
| Certifications | CoA · Phytosanitary · MSDS · Halal/Kosher on request |
| Packaging | 25 kg vacuum bags · Custom · Private label |
| Storage | Cool, dry, 15–20°C recommended |
| Shelf Life | 12 months (properly stored) |
| MOQ | Flexible — contact us |
Quality Spectrum
Understanding
W-Grades
Super Large (King)
Fewest kernels per pound — the largest, most premium cashew grade. Commanding the highest price premium for whole-kernel snack applications and premium retail.
- Premium snack packaging
- Gift boxes & gourmet retail
- High-end food service
Large
A premium large kernel balancing size, price, and availability. Preferred for quality snack brands and high-value food manufacturer applications.
- Quality snack brands
- Cashew butter (premium)
- Nut mixes
Medium Standard
The world's most traded cashew grade. The industry workhorse — ideal balance of size, quality, price, and volume availability for most food manufacturing applications.
- Food manufacturing
- Plant-based dairy
- Confectionery & bakery
- Cashew butter
- Private label snacks
Small / Pieces
Smaller whole kernels and pieces — most economical option. Ideal for applications where kernel size is not critical, such as cashew flour, paste, or ingredient blending.
- Cashew flour & paste
- Ingredient blending
- Industrial food processing
Applications
Where they're
used
Plant-Based Dairy
Cashews are the preferred base nut for plant-based dairy manufacturing. Their high fat content and neutral flavour produce the creamiest cashew milk, cashew cheese, and vegan cream alternatives on the market.
Confectionery & Bakery
Used whole, halved, or as paste in chocolates, pralines, cookies, cakes, and pastries. The buttery flavour and gentle texture of cashews make them a premium confectionery ingredient globally.
Snack & Trail Mix
The world's most consumed nut in the snack category. W240 and W320 grades are used extensively in roasted snack, trail mix, and flavoured nut applications by food brands globally.
Nut Butters & Pastes
Raw cashew kernels are processed into cashew butter, paste, and flour for health food brands, sports nutrition products, and as a base for vegan sauces, curries, and dressings.
Culinary & Food Service
Widely used in Asian and Indian cuisine as a garnish, thickener (cashew paste in curries), and protein-rich ingredient. High-volume food service and restaurant supply chains source in bulk.
Sports & Health Nutrition
Cashew's plant protein content (18g/100g) and healthy fat profile make it a valued ingredient in protein bars, energy balls, and sports nutrition formulations targeting active lifestyle consumers.
Composition
Nutritional
Profile
Per 100g of raw cashews (indicative values — batch CoA provided on request)
Heart-Healthy Fats
Over 60% of cashew's fat content is oleic acid — the same monounsaturated fat found in olive oil, associated with reduced cardiovascular risk and improved HDL cholesterol profiles.
| Energy | 553 kcal |
| Protein | 18.2 g |
| Total Fat | 43.8 g |
| — Monounsaturated Fat | 23.8 g (oleic acid) |
| — Polyunsaturated Fat | 7.8 g |
| — Saturated Fat | 7.8 g |
| Carbohydrates | 30.2 g |
| Dietary Fibre | 3.3 g |
| Magnesium | 292 mg (73% DV) |
| Zinc | 5.8 mg (53% DV) |
| Copper | 2.2 mg (244% DV) |
| Iron | 6.7 mg (37% DV) |
*USDA reference values. Batch-specific CoA provided on request.
Clearing the Air
Myths
Debunked
"Cashews are too high in fat to be healthy."
The majority of fat in cashews is heart-healthy monounsaturated fat (oleic acid) — the same fat celebrated in olive oil. Multiple studies associate regular tree nut consumption (including cashews) with reduced cardiovascular risk and improved metabolic markers.
"Raw cashews are toxic and must be roasted."
Commercial "raw" cashews have already undergone a controlled steaming process to remove urushiol (found in the shell, not the kernel) — making them perfectly safe to eat without further roasting. The "truly raw" unprocessed cashew in its shell is not what is traded commercially.
"W320 is an inferior grade of cashew."
W320 is the world's most traded cashew grade for good reason — it delivers excellent quality at optimal price-to-value ratio for most applications. For food manufacturing, ingredient processing, and snack brands, W320 is the industry standard, not a compromise.
"Indian cashews are lower quality than Vietnamese."
India's Konkan coast — particularly Goa and Konkan Maharashtra — produces some of the world's finest cashews, known for their rich flavour profile. Vietnam dominates volume; India dominates flavour. Dense Origins offers both origins to match your product brief.
Product FAQ
Common Questions
What do the W-grades mean and which should I order?
The W-grade indicates kernels per pound: W180 (largest, ~180 kernels/lb) through W450 (smallest, ~450 kernels/lb). W320 is the global standard for most food manufacturing applications. If kernel appearance matters (premium snacks, gift retail), choose W180 or W240. For processing (cashew butter, paste, plant-based dairy), W320 or W450 offer better value.
Can I get split, broken, or cashew pieces?
Yes. We supply whole grades (W180–W450) as well as broken grades: splits (SW), butts (B), pieces (P), and small pieces (SP). Broken grades are significantly more economical and ideal for cashew butter, paste, confectionery filling, and granola applications.
Are your cashews suitable for allergen declaration?
Yes. Tree nuts (including cashews) are a major allergen. Our CoA includes allergen information and we can confirm dedicated processing where required. We recommend buyers conduct their own allergen risk assessment based on their specific facility and process.
Do you supply roasted cashews?
Dense Origins primarily supplies raw, unroasted cashews, allowing buyers to roast and season to their own specification. Roasted and/or salted cashews can be arranged for specific requirements — please specify when enquiring.
Ready to source
Premium Cashews?
Sustainably harvested from Vietnam and India's Konkan coast. Creamy, nutrient-dense raw cashews for food manufacturers, snack brands, and plant-based dairy producers. W180 to W450 grades available.