Cashew Issues

[Raene]

I'm confused about cashews. I have read on several sites that the truly raw cashews are toxic and should not be eaten, yet there are so many recipes with cashews. And something about how if you soak something in water and it doesn't sprout, don't eat it...and cashews obviously don't sprout. Any opinions?

[Rawkinlocs]

Yeah, the whole cashew thing is enough to make your head spin!

I, personally, eat cashews from the natural food stores that indicate they are raw and are not roasted. Some say that because the process to remove them from the shell involves steam that they are not truly raw. But I did a raw class once and one of the attendees does a lot of work in the area of health and he is some kind of enzyme specialist (forgot the title he used) and he shared with me that the process and the heat involved in removing the cashew from the shell does NOT effect the enzymes in the cashew enough to render them useless or to kill the enzymes. As for the toxic issue...I've seen a discussion on that here, I will try to see if I can find it.

Also, I'm not sure that nuts sprout...they germinate and the enzyme inhibitors are released...but I've heard that you don't need to sprout nuts...just soak them and some nuts can be soaked for shorter durations than others, almonds seem to need the longest soaking...but cashews do not.

There will be much conflicting info on this matter...which is why I usually go on how a thing makes me feel. I can eat cashews with no problem...I can eat almonds but they must be soaked first or else I get terrible indigestion.

I'm sure others will come along with more info for you, but that's just MY personal take on the matter.

[SamuelWilson]

I'm confused about cashews. I have read on several sites that the truly raw cashews are toxic and should not be eaten, yet there are so many recipes with cashews. And something about how if you soak something in water and it doesn't sprout, don't eat it...and cashews obviously don't sprout. Any opinions?

Raene, it is totally safe to eat raw cashews. They are not toxic. If you want to buy really raw cashews to use in the recipes from Alissa's LIVING ON LIVE FOOD (http://www.alissacohen.com/books.html) then you can purchase them from Glaser Farms via (305) 238-7747 and here is the link to buy them online => Hand Shelled Cashews (http://www.glaserorganicfarms.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=GOF&Category_Code=ns)

It is important that you specify hand shelled.

[Nini]

Rawk,
Thanks for the explanation. It make sense.
:) Happy Thursday!