C
ashew nuts are among the most popular and nutritious snacks enjoyed worldwide. But have you ever wondered about the journey these premium nuts take from the farm to your table? At St. Mary’s Cashew Factory, we ensure that every cashew nut undergoes a meticulous process, maintaining its quality, taste, and nutritional value. Let’s take a deep dive into how cashews are sourced, processed, and exported while upholding the highest standards.
- Cultivation & Harvesting: Sourcing the Finest Cashews
The journey begins in the lush cashew orchards of India and Africa, where farmers cultivate cashew trees in tropical climates. These trees bear cashew apples, with each fruit containing a single cashew nut encased in a hard shell beneath it.
- The harvesting process takes place between February and May when the fruits mature.
- Farmers carefully pluck the cashew apples and separate the nuts, ensuring that only the best-quality nuts proceed to the next stage.
- The collected nuts are sun-dried for several days to reduce moisture content and preserve freshness.
- Sorting & Quality Selection: Ensuring Premium Produce
Once dried, the raw cashew nuts (RCN) are sorted based on size, shape, and quality. At St. Mary’s Cashew Factory, we prioritize sourcing the finest raw cashews, ensuring they meet international quality standards.
- The nuts are examined for any defects, discolouration, or imperfections.
- Only the best-grade cashews are selected for processing.
- Each batch is tested for moisture content and stored under controlled conditions to maintain freshness before processing.
- Shelling & Peeling: Extracting the Cashew Kernel
Cashew nuts are encased in a hard shell containing caustic oil, which requires careful handling.
- We use manual and semi-automated shelling techniques to ensure precision and prevent kernel damage.
- The nuts undergo a steaming process to soften the shells, making it easier to extract the kernels.
- After shelling, the cashew kernels are carefully peeled by skilled workers to remove the thin outer skin, revealing the creamy white nut inside.
- Roasting & Drying: Enhancing Flavour & Shelf Life
At St. Mary’s Cashew Factory, we employ traditional drum roasting techniques instead of machine roasting to retain the natural flavour and nutrition of cashews.
- Drum roasting ensures even heating and prevents contamination, unlike machine roasting, which involves a boiling process that can affect quality.
- The roasted cashews are dried to achieve the perfect crunch and texture.
- This step enhances the shelf life of the nuts while preserving their nutritional benefits.
- Grading & Packaging: Meeting Global Standards
Cashew nuts come in various grades based on their size, shape, and colour. The grading process is crucial to meet the specific requirements of different markets.
- The cashews are classified into whole, split, and broken categories.
- They are carefully weighed, packaged, and vacuum-sealed to maintain freshness and prevent moisture absorption.
- We use food-grade packaging materials that meet international export standards, ensuring safe and contamination-free cashews.
- Quality Control & Traceability: Guaranteeing Excellence
At St. Mary’s Cashew Factory, every batch undergoes stringent quality checks to maintain consistency and premium quality.
- We conduct Product Retention Tests every three months to assess quality over time.
- Each shipment is assigned a traceability lot number, allowing us to track its journey from farm to export.
- Our Quality Assurance (QA) team follows global food safety standards, ensuring that only the best cashews reach customers worldwide.
- Exporting to Global Markets: Delivering Premium Cashews Worldwide
Once processed and packaged, our cashew nuts are ready for export to various international markets, including the USA, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
- We work with reliable logistics partners to ensure timely and safe delivery.
- Our commitment to sustainability and ethical sourcing ensures a transparent and responsible supply chain.
- Customers receive fresh, premium-grade cashews that retain their taste, texture, and nutritional value.
The journey of cashews from farm to factory is a meticulous process that requires expertise, precision, and a commitment to quality. At St. Mary’s Cashew Factory, we take pride in delivering the finest cashews to customers worldwide, upholding a legacy of excellence built over decades. Whether enjoyed as a snack, in confectionery, or as an ingredient in gourmet dishes, our cashews guarantee superior taste and quality in every bite.
Looking for the best premium cashews? Explore St. Mary’s Cashew Factory’s range of top-quality cashew products today!