Affecting around 0.5 to 1 percent of the total US population, tree nut allergies are one of the most commonly found allergies.
In fact, tree nuts fall under the top eight food allergens found in the country. However, a person allergic to one tree nut isn’t necessarily repelled by all the others, but most nuts are closely related and belong to the same family.
For example, pecan and walnuts are categorized into the same family Juglandaceae. Therefore it is good to keep tabs on all the tree nuts if you are allergic to any one of them.
My son has been allergic to pistachios ever since he was a kid, so I had to do a lot of reading on tree nuts to keep him safe. Howdy guys, it’s me, Stacy and I am back with another botanical guide.
Today, I will answer the question - “are cashews tree nuts?” I am excited for this one since plant-related articles are my absolute favorites.
Let’s get started!
Do you know what tree nuts are? Kudos to you if you do. I’ll elaborate on them a little for those who do not know about these fiber and protein-rich bundles.
All the flowering plants are placed under the division Angiospermae. These plants or trees produce their seeds inside flowers, which are essentially called the reproductive organs in the botanical world. Once fertilization occurs, the whole flower transforms into fruit, and the seeds remain protected inside their fleshy bodies.
However, this mechanism slightly varies from species to species, but the basic features remain the same. In technical terms, tree nuts are these seeds produced by fruit-bearing plants.
Unlike most other fruits, the outer coverings of the tree nut fruit (exocarp, mesocarp, and endocarp) are not edible. Instead, the seeds are consumable, which is quite peculiar because we generally throw away the seeds in other fruits like mangoes, peaches, watermelon, etc.
Pecan, hazelnut, walnut, almond, macadamia nut, brazil nut, pine nut, pistachios, and cashews are all collectively known as tree nuts. People commonly assume that peanuts are also tree nuts, but that is not true. They actually belong to the Leguminosae family and are legumes.
Cashews grow on the evergreen tropical trees Anacardium occidentale, commonly known as the cashew nut trees. They develop inside fleshy fruits called cashew apples which are attached to the tree stem from the upper end. The lower end bears the nut, which is further encased in a shell.
The type of fruits with a stony endocarp are termed “drupes,” and cashews belong to this category. Did you know that mangoes and coconuts are also drupes? Isn’t that fascinating? So, according to this, cashews are actually fruits instead of fitting in the definition of “nuts.”
Some people, like my son, can be allergic to cashews, but cashew allergy is less frequent compared to other nuts. If an allergic person eats cashew, the reaction can range from mild discomfort to lethal disorders like anaphylaxis.
Considering the technicalities, cashews are not really nuts, but they are often put into that category because of their shared nutritional attributes with other nuts like almonds and walnuts. In fact, several other tree nuts like pistachios and pecan aren’t true nuts either and are drupe seeds instead, just like cashews.
This might seem a little confusing, so let me put it in a better way. According to the botanical definition, nuts are hardened pods containing both the seed and the fruit inside the shell. But drupes are fruits that just happen to have a stony exocarp and contain a seed inside.
The key difference here is that one is a shell that carries fruit and seed inside it, and one is a fruit itself with a hard outer covering. I hope you got that? Let me know in the comments if you have any confusion.
Moving on, hazelnuts and acorns are true tree nuts as they fit in the botanical definition, but some other nuts like cashews are fruits that have similar qualities as the former. Since people are not much aware of this fact, cashews are often classified as tree nuts and they fit into that category to a certain extent.
Since I’ve been talking about tree nuts and cashews, I have decided to tell you a little about allergies as well. A tree nut allergy is induced whenever you consume or are exposed to the nut you are allergic to. The symptoms can either be severe right off the bat or take half an hour to develop.
In either case, you’ll need a shot of allergy suppressants like antihistamines. Some commonly observed symptoms include:
These allergies can be lethal, and if you are allergic to any one of them, I advise you to stay away from others as well. Also, consult an immunologist to get a complete allergy screen test to be on the safer side. Since the allergies are life-threatening, it’s important to have a conclusive diagnosis.
Cashews are a delicacy and are used in various cuisines, eaten as snacks, and are a rich source of healthy fats and proteins.
They are not “true” tree nuts and belong to the group of drupes, yet they are kept together with other nuts because of the similarities. That’s about it for this guide, guys. I hope you got to know something new and had a fun time reading.
Before signing off, I’ll urge you to get a proper allergy diagnosis from an immunologist if you’ve ever experienced even mild allergy symptoms at any point. This is something you cannot be casual about, you know? Take care of yourself.
I’ll see you again next time with another interesting guide.
Tags
Pressure cookers have become kitchen staples for many, promising speedy meals without compromising flavor. But have you ever wondered how hot does a pressure cooker get?Understanding the temperature inside this culinary marvel is more than just kitchen trivia. It’s a vital aspect of safe and efficient cooking.From unlocking the secrets of rapid cooking to ensuring
Read MorePressure cookers have evolved into indispensable allies in modern kitchens, capable of conjuring quick, mouthwatering meals with ease.Yet, amidst the kitchen whirlwind, there’s a familiar culinary stumbling block that can swiftly transform your gastronomic aspirations into a culinary catastrophe. Yes, we’re talking the menacing issue of pressure cooker burn marks on the bottom.Few things are
Read More