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Different Grades of Cashews and Why It's Important
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Different Grades of Cashews and Why It's Important
Cashews are cashews, right? Wrong. There are many different types of cashews and the type and quality can tell you a lot. There are 33 different grades of cashew nuts, however, we will only discuss 7 of them and only 26 are available to the consumer. Not all cashews are the same but they all have their own uses around the world. Accessibility is as important as high-quality options.
W-180 or King:
W-180 is known as the best, largest, and most expensive type of cashew. They are known as the “King of Cashews” and the best around. You can buy W-180 cashews here. There are usually 160-180 cashew nuts per pound and they originate mainly in Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Tanzania.
W-210 or Jumbo:
W-210 cashews are still quite large and referred to as Jumbo even though they are a step smaller than the W-180 but they are still high quality and sought after.
W-240:
This is a yet smaller cashew which is more of a mid-grade or standard-size cashew. You will find these in nut mixes because they are cheaper in both cost and quality. Though they are still attractive, they are less appealing than the W-210 or the W-180. There are usually 220 - 240 cashew nuts per pound and they originate mainly in Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Tanzania.
W-320:
The W-320 is the most common cashew that most consumers are used to. They are much cheaper and most widely distributed. There are usually 300 - 320 cashew nuts per pound.
W-450:
These are by far and away the cheapest of the whole cashews, however, if you put them side by side with a W-180 cashew the size difference would be notable. There are usually 440 - 450 cashew nuts per pound.
Scorched Wholes:
Scorched whole cashews are pretty much what they sound like. They have been roasted for longer than the other cashews and thus they have a darker brown color whereas the others have more of a whiter tone. They can be sold either whole or in pieces.
Halves and Pieces:
During the extensive processing, many cashews get broken, and rather than just throwing them away, they are sold as pieces. They can be put into trail mixes or sold as pieces for baking or as a salad topper. These are the cheapest form that cashews come in because they are the cast-offs that aren’t pretty enough for regular sale.
The Global Cashew Market:
Cashews grow in a myriad of different countries from Brazil to Nigeria but not all cashews are created equal neither do they grow the same in different countries. Tanzanian is known as the country with the best quality cashew nuts. Ivory Coast grows the most cashew nuts followed by India and Vietnam. Meanwhile, China, Malawi, and El Salvador grow the least.
It is important to know the different quality and cost options in order to know what you are looking for. If you are looking for a simple nut that is cheap and plentiful then the W-320 is a good option but if you are looking for a high-quality cashew nut then the W-180 is what you want.
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