Cashew nuts are graded based on several factors, including size, quality, appearance, and processing method. Here’s a detailed overview of cashew grades:
Cashew Grades
1. Whole Cashew Grades
- W180 (or W-180): These are the largest whole cashews, with approximately 180 nuts per pound. They are often considered the highest quality due to their size and appearance.
- W210 (or W-210): Slightly smaller than W180, these cashews have around 210 nuts per pound. They are still high quality and commonly used for snacking.
- W240 (or W-240): These cashews are medium in size, with about 240 nuts per pound. They are versatile and can be used in various culinary applications.
- W320 (or W-320): These are smaller whole cashews, with roughly 320 nuts per pound. While still whole, they are not as desirable as larger grades.
- W450 (or W-450): These are the smallest whole cashews, with about 450 nuts per pound. They are generally used for processing rather than as a premium snack.
2. Broken Cashew Grades
- BB (or B-Grade): This grade includes whole nuts that have been broken during processing. They are often used in cooking or as ingredients in products like cashew butter.
- B2: A lower grade of broken cashews, which may contain more fragments and less desirable pieces.
- B3: The lowest grade of broken cashews, consisting mostly of small pieces and fragments.
3. Cashew Pieces
- Cashew Pieces: These are small bits of cashew nuts, typically sold as ingredients for cooking or baking. They are often used in recipes that require a smaller size for even distribution, such as granola bars, trail mixes, or toppings for desserts.
4. Specialty Grades
- Roasted Cashews: Graded based on the roasting method (dry-roasted or oil-roasted) and seasoning (salted or unsalted).
- Flavored Cashews: Cashews coated with various flavors, such as spicy, sweet, or savory. These are not typically graded in the same way as whole nuts.