White Cashews (Kaju)

Cashews are traded by a count: W240, W320 and similar codes mean white whole kernels, roughly that many to a pound, so a smaller number is a bigger nut. Jumbo grades cost more because they look better on a gift tray. Here is what the code does not tell you: freshness. A modest sized kernel from a fresh lot eats sweeter and creamier than a jumbo from an old one. We pack whole white kernels for the kitchen and the table, and the test I trust is the snap: a good kernel is firm and pale, bends not at all, and smells mild and buttery. Soft, dark or sour smelling cashews are old stock at any grade.

For gravies, soak a handful and grind them in; for sweets, chop or sliver; for snacking, a brief dry roast at home wakes them up beautifully, though for a ready roasted pack our roasted kaju saves the trouble. Cashews pick up moisture and off smells quickly, so keep them airtight, cool and away from the spice shelf, and in summer the fridge does them no harm. Grades, types and market prices are compared in our kaju guide.

What is the kaju price in Pakistan? At WD Foods, white cashews are Rs 4,650 a kilo and roasted kaju Rs 4,800. Market rates for sound raw kaju generally run higher per kilo at the big online stores.

White or roasted: which should I buy? White for cooking, grinding and sweets. Roasted for the table. Buying roasted for a gravy means paying for work the recipe will hide.

Are broken pieces a bad buy? For grinding and gravies, pieces are the smart buy in any shop. For serving whole, buy whole kernels, like these.

WD Foods is the online store of Wahid Nimco, working from Quetta since 1990. We deliver across Pakistan in 3 to 5 business days. Both kaju lines are in our kaju collection, and the season's full rates are in the dry fruits price list.