These kidney-shaped nuts sprout from the bottom of a cashew apple, the fruit of a tropical evergreen tree. Cashews contain more iron per gram than rump steak. They also provide lots of zinc and potassium. Cashew nuts have a lower fat content and a higher protein and carbohydrate content than other types of nuts.
The fat that they do contain is mostly derived from oleic acid, a monounsaturated oil with known benefits in protecting against heart disease and cancer. Cashews are also common in baked goods and Asian meat dishes.