Whole or Broken cashews?

[dhammala]

Do you find there is a difference between raw whole or broken cashews (um, besides the obvious)? My local Wild Oats sells both (raw and organic) and there is a big price difference. I mainly use cashews for milk and cheeses and desserts and such..

Organic Raw Whole Cashews for $9.69/lb (on sale now for $8.49/lb)
Organic Large Raw Cashew Pieces for $7.39/lb
Raw Whole Cashews for $7.49/lb

Can I soak the pieces and release the enzyme inhibitors and live happily ever after? Or should I spend an extra $0.10 or $2.30 per pound to do that?

What are your thoughts on organic vs non-organic cashews?

What is your favorite way to eat them?

Once I soak them.. and then dehydrate them, how long do you think they will last?

[rawpriestess]

Do you find there is a difference between raw whole or broken cashews (um, besides the obvious)? My local Wild Oats sells both (raw and organic) and there is a big price difference. I mainly use cashews for milk and cheeses and desserts and such..

Organic Raw Whole Cashews for $9.69/lb (on sale now for $8.49/lb)
Organic Large Raw Cashew Pieces for $7.39/lb
Raw Whole Cashews for $7.49/lb

Can I soak the pieces and release the enzyme inhibitors and live happily ever after? Or should I spend an extra $0.10 or $2.30 per pound to do that?

What are your thoughts on organic vs non-organic cashews?

What is your favorite way to eat them?

Once I soak them.. and then dehydrate them, how long do you think they will last?
Well the only reason the whole cashews are more expensive, is because they have to pick the pieces out of them, so the pieces are fine to use, unless you want pretty whole cashews for some purpose.

I try to buy organic if I can find it, but if I can't find organic, I will buy regular, depending on what it is. I won't buy non organic, corn, or berries or fruit unless absolutely necessary. I can almost always get organic, or wild.

I eat cashews mostly as cream cheese or sour cream, and cheeses. I also use them as frosting on raw cakes, etc. I also use them to make ice creams, but that is an entire thread in itself.

Once you soak them, they are pretty smooshy, so I haven't ever dehydrated cashews back to crisp, and then used them. I do that with almonds and hazelnuts and they are fine.

I know that once you remove the enzyme inhibitors, they are subject to mold etc. So, I always use them immediately, but you could try a small batch, and keep tasting each day. I think I would keep them in the frige though.

But all great questions, and hope I helpe a bit.

It's good to have you hear. ;o)

[Raw_Medic]

thanks for asking this question dhammala, I've been wondering this too as my health food store is the same way in pricing!

And thanks to SG for your answer!

Ursula

[Sharon in Colorado]

Cashews have to be high-heat processed to remove their shells. Try to sprout a whole cashew after soaking it and you will see it's been denatured.

There are some online sources which sell truly 'raw' cashews if you are set on getting something that is optimal for eating.

That said, I would suggest saving your money and buying the broken cashew pieces. You won't release any enzyme inhibitors by soaking it so there is no need to bother.

Just enjoy your nuts until your body says it's time to move on.

[dhammala]

Oh no! I think Sharon is right! I found this (http://www.rawfood.com/cashews.html) link which talks about the same thing.

I love cashews.. :(

So is this process used with other nuts? If I switch to almonds from the bulk bin at the store, are those really raw?

[Sharon in Colorado]

Raw almonds can be easily sprouted, so they have not been denatured.

You can test any nut by soaking and trying to sprout.

Doesn't mean
"if the nut don't sprout, you must throw out" (sorry, couldn't help myself).

I would still use it if I had it. It ain't gonna kill you.

[RawFoodieMom]

Okay, so I bought a little baggie of bulk cashews from a little health food store a little while ago. They had put a little sticker on the baggie that says "raw". Then I read in quite a few places that cashews are rarely raw, they are usually heat treated, etc... just like has been said above. Well, I decided I didn't want to waste them so I decided to soak them and use them up. Well, soaked them overnight and when I woke up this morning, looked in the bowl... and most of them have tails now!! This means they are raw, no?? I think I'm in shock, LOL. Wasn't expecting this at all. I thought if I wanted to eat cashews I'd have to buy the raw ones off the internet.

Am I crazy? This means they're raw, right?? Have I gotten lucky with this little store? :D

Debra

[Sharon in Colorado]

Oh ya, Debra! Cool. Now maybe you can save a couple of the sprouted ones, continuing to sprout and then plant in a little pot and have your own cashew tree!

I'd say, keep going back to that health food store, sounds like you found the right cashews!

:cool: ...hmmm...think I'll be checking my cashews to see if they sprout from now on...

[RawFoodieMom]

:cool: :cool: Yes, I think it would be worth it for anyone to even buy just a small handful from your local stores and try and sprout before we assume they're not raw! Who knows, you might get a pleasant surprise like me! :D

Is it normal for them to have sprouted so quickly? After just a 10 hour soak? I thought to sprout stuff you had to soak overnight, and then drain and rinse for like the next day or so before something sprouts. I guess it's different for each thing you try to sprout?

Debra