Marañón
Anacardium occidentale
Native Region
Northeastern Brazil
Max Height
6-14 meters
Family
Anacardiaceae
Conservation
NE
Uses
Distribution in Costa Rica
Legend
Elevation
0-800m
Regions
- Guanacaste
- Puntarenas
- Alajuela
- Limón
Season
Flowering
Jan, Nov-Dec
Fruiting
Feb-Apr
Marañón (Cashew Tree)
The Marañón or Cashew (Anacardium occidentale) produces the world's most peculiar and valuable nut. Unlike any other nut, the kidney-shaped cashew hangs outside its fruit—a fleshy, colorful "apple" that is itself delicious. Native to Brazil but spread throughout the tropics by Portuguese colonizers, the Cashew has become vital to economies from India to Vietnam, from Mozambique to Costa Rica. Every cashew nut you've ever eaten was hand-processed—the caustic shell requires careful handling—making this humble nut far more fascinating than most people realize. In Costa Rica, the marañón is a common sight in hot lowland areas, appreciated for both its nuts and its juicy, tart-sweet "apple."
Quick Reference
- Scientific Name
- Anacardium occidentale
- Family
- Anacardiaceae (Cashew Family)
- Max Height
- 6-14 m
- Trunk Diameter
- Up to 40 cm
- Conservation
- Not Evaluated (cultivated)
- Key Feature
- Nut hangs outside the fruit
iNaturalist Observations
Community-powered species data
5000
Observations
186
Observers
📸 Photo Gallery
Photos sourced from iNaturalist community science database. View all observations →↗
Taxonomy and Classification
- Anacardium: From Greek "ana" (resembling) + "kardia" (heart) — the nut shape - occidentale: Western (from the Americas, to Europeans) - Cashew: From Portuguese "caju," from Tupi "acajú" - Marañón: Spanish name, origin debated (possibly from Amazon region)
Common Names
| Language/Region | Common Name(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| English | Cashew, Cashew Tree | From Portuguese |
| Spanish | Marañón, Merey, Anacardo | Regional variation |
| Portuguese | Cajueiro, Caju | Original name source |
| Costa Rica | Marañón | Standard local name |
| French | Anacardier | From scientific name |
| Hindi | Kaju | From Portuguese |
Physical Description
Overall Form
The Cashew is a small to medium evergreen tree with a spreading, often irregular crown. In poor soils or dry conditions, it may remain shrubby. The tree is well-adapted to challenging conditions—it thrives in sandy, poor soils where other crops fail. Its branching pattern is often picturesque, with gnarled, twisting limbs.
Distinctive Features
Leaves
- Type: Simple, obovate
- Size: 10-20 cm long
- Color: Dark green, leathery
- Texture: Thick, smooth
- Arrangement: Alternate, spiral
- Feature: Prominent veins
Bark
- Color: Gray to brown
- Texture: Rough, scaly
- Pattern: Fissured with age
- Exudate: Caustic gum/resin
The Famous Fruit Complex
- True Fruit (Nut): Kidney-shaped, 3 cm
- Shell: Hard, containing caustic oil
- Kernel: The edible "cashew nut"
- False Fruit (Apple): Swollen peduncle
- Apple Color: Yellow, orange, or red
- Apple Size: 5-11 cm long
- Taste: Sweet-tart, astringent
Flowers
- Type: Small, fragrant
- Color: Pinkish to red
- Size: 1 cm diameter
- Arrangement: Terminal panicles
- Sexuality: Mostly male, some perfect
Never attempt to crack cashew shells yourself! The shell between the nut and outer casing contains anacardic acid and cardol—chemicals related to poison ivy that cause severe burns. - Can blister skin on contact - Fumes from burning shells are dangerous - Professional processing required - This is why raw cashews are never sold in shells The nut inside is perfectly safe once properly processed!
The Cashew Paradox
Why Can't You Buy Cashews in Shells?
The World's Most Labor-Intensive Nut
Unlike almonds, walnuts, or peanuts, cashews are never sold in shells: The Problem: - Shell contains caustic CNSL (Cashew Nut Shell Liquid) - Same chemical family as poison ivy - Cannot be cracked like other nuts - Requires heat treatment and careful extraction Traditional Processing: 1. Nuts dried for days 2. Roasted/steamed to neutralize toxins 3. Shells cracked individually by hand 4. Kernels extracted and graded 5. Often roasted again for sale Modern Processing: - Steam or oil-bath treatment - Mechanical cracking - Still significant hand labor - CNSL is a valuable industrial byproduct Every cashew represents considerable human labor—hence the price!
Distribution and Habitat
Global Distribution
Geographic Distribution
Distribution in Costa Rica
| Province | Abundance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Guanacaste | Common | Hot, dry climate ideal |
| Puntarenas | Common | Pacific coast lowlands |
| Alajuela | Present | Lower, drier areas |
| San José | Rare | Too cool, too wet |
| Cartago | Absent | Climate unsuitable |
| Limón | Occasional | Caribbean coast |
Habitat Preferences
- Elevation: Sea level to 600 m (occasionally higher)
- Climate: Hot, with distinct dry season
- Rainfall: 1,000-2,000 mm/year (tolerates drought)
- Temperature: 20-30°C year-round
- Soil: Sandy, well-drained (tolerates poor soils)
- Light: Full sun required
- Salt: Some coastal tolerance
Ecological Role
Wildlife Interactions
Fruit Consumers
- Parrots and Parakeets: Love the nuts
- Squirrels: Important consumers
- Bats: Eat the cashew apple
- Monkeys: Both nut and apple
- Various birds: Apple flesh
- Wild pigs: Fallen fruits
Ecosystem Services
- Drought resistance: Thrives where others fail
- Soil stabilization: Sandy/degraded soils
- Windbreak: In coastal areas
- Shade: Moderate canopy
- Nectar source: For bees and insects
The Cashew belongs to the same family (Anacardiaceae) and genus (Anacardium) as Costa Rica's native Espavel (Anacardium excelsum): - Same distinctive fruit structure - Both have caustic elements - Espavel is much larger (60m vs 14m) - Espavel is native; Cashew is introduced You might say the Cashew is the Espavel's famous imported cousin!
Uses and Products
The Cashew Nut
Globally Valued Nut
Cashews are among the world's most valuable and popular nuts: Culinary Uses: - Eaten roasted and salted - Raw in cooking (actually blanched) - Ground into cashew butter - Cashew milk and cream (vegan) - Cashew cheese alternatives - Asian cuisine (stir-fries, curries) Nutritional Value (per 100g): - Calories: 553 kcal - Protein: 18g - Healthy fats: 44g - Magnesium: 83% daily value - Iron, zinc, copper: High Global Production (2022): - Vietnam: #1 processor - India: #2 producer/processor - Côte d'Ivoire: #1 raw producer - Total: ~3.5 million tons/year
The Cashew Apple
While the nut is exported worldwide, the cashew apple is often wasted: In Producing Countries: - Eaten fresh (sweet-tart flavor) - Made into juice (very popular) - Fermented into wine/liquor (Feni in Goa) - Made into jams and chutneys In Costa Rica: - Eaten fresh when ripe - Made into "refresco de marañón" - Sometimes fermented - Often simply left on tree Why Not Exported?: - Extremely delicate (bruises easily) - Shelf life of only hours to days - High in tannins (can be astringent) 5-10 times more apple than nut is produced—but most is discarded!
Industrial Uses
| Product | Source | Uses |
|---|---|---|
| CNSL | Shell liquid | Brake linings, paints, resins |
| Cardanol | Refined CNSL | Coatings, polymers |
| Tannins | Bark, apple | Leather tanning |
| Gum | Tree sap | Bookbinding, varnishes |
| Wood | Trunk | Boat building (resistant) |
Cultivation
Growing Cashews
Cultural Significance
In Costa Rica
Marañón in Costa Rican culture: - Seasonal Treat: Fresh cashew apples in dry season - Traditional Beverage: "Refresco de marañón" - Country Living: Associated with rural Guanacaste - Home Processing: Some families roast their own nuts While not as culturally central as in Brazil or India, the marañón is a familiar and appreciated part of Costa Rica's fruit diversity.
Global Cultural Importance
- Brazil: National symbol of northeast; "Land of Caju"
- Goa, India: Feni liquor is cultural heritage
- Vietnam: Major industry employing millions
- West Africa: Critical export crop
Identification Guide
How to Identify Marañón
Year-Round Identifiers:
- Leathery, obovate leaves clustered at branch tips
- Spreading, irregular crown
- Rough, grayish bark
- Short stature (rarely over 12m)
Seasonal Identifiers:
- Pinkish flower panicles (dry season)
- Unmistakable fruit: nut hanging from apple
- Colorful apples (yellow, orange, red)
Where to See Marañón in Costa Rica
| Location | Context | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Guanacaste lowlands | Farms, yards | Most common region |
| Nicoya Peninsula | Rural areas | Traditional cultivation |
| Pacific coast towns | Shade trees | Common sight |
| Central markets | Dry season | Fresh apples sold |
| Road from Liberia to beaches | Along roads | Many trees visible |
To see marañón at its best, visit during the dry season (December-April) when trees are flowering and fruiting: - Colorful apples hanging from branches - Sweet fragrance of flowers - Fresh fruit available at markets - Opportunity to taste cashew apple The sight of red and yellow cashew apples with their distinctive nut attachments is unforgettable!
External Resources
Community observations and photos
Agricultural data and resources
Industry information
References
📚 Scientific References & Further Reading
Morton, J.F. (1987). Cashew Apple in Fruits of Warm Climates. Julia F. Morton, Miami
Manay, N.S. & Shadaksharaswamy, M. (2001). Foods: Facts and Principles. New Age International
Azam-Ali, S.H. & Judge, E.C. (2001). Small-scale Cashew Nut Processing. FAO Technical Paper
The humble Cashew is anything but ordinary. Consider this: every single cashew nut you've ever eaten was carefully extracted from a caustic shell by human hands, processed through multiple steps, and shipped halfway around the world. The tree itself is a survivor, thriving in poor, sandy soils where other crops fail. And the forgotten cashew apple—delicious, nutritious, and almost entirely wasted—represents one of the great missed opportunities in tropical fruit. In Costa Rica's dry Pacific lowlands, the marañón stands as a testament to Portuguese colonial-era plant exchanges, Brazilian origins, and the global journey of a truly remarkable nut. Next time you snack on cashews, spare a thought for this fascinating tree and the extraordinary journey those little kidney-shaped kernels made to reach you.
