Stage 1
DRYING
Raw cashew nuts are properly dried in order to remove excess moisture. These raw nuts are usually kept in open yard and are dried in sun for 2/3 days. The nuts are rolled over on regular basis in order to ensure both sides drying. After this procedure is over, the dried cashew nut are collected and thereafter packed in bags for the purpose of long storage. Malnad is one of the popular cashews processing services provider, which follows the same procedure for drying the cashew nuts.
Stage 2
ROASTING
The second stage of processing is Roasting, Here; we heat the cashews with high pressure/temperature steam. The roasting time depends upon the characteristic of raw cashew nuts.
Stage 3
CUTTING
Raw cashew nut has a unique kidney shape. Moreover, the outer shell of raw cashew nut is very hard to crack. The shell contains a liquid called CNSL, which can be very dangerous if not properly handled.
We use a specially designed hand and leg operated cutting machines to cut raw cashew nuts. The operations are predominantly manual. The raw cashews are carefully cut to ensure that, there are minimum broken.
Stage 4
HOT CHAMBER
In this stage, cashew kernels are heated to 70-85 degree centigrade. The main purpose of this heating is to eliminate moisture and gumming between cashew kernels and adhering test. We use a specially designed chamber to heat the cashews so that, the temperature control can be attained accurately.
Stage 5
PEELING
Cashew Kernels are blanched using a small knife. The adhering testa (husk) is carefully removed ensuring minimum damage to the cashew kernels. Due to unique shape of the cashews, the process is mostly manual.
Stage 6
GRADING
Cashew Kernels are graded according to their size, colour, appearance etc. There are more than 25 grades of cashews . These grades are standardized by CEPCI.
Stage 7
PACKING
Cashew Kernels are fumigated before packing. Then, it is passed through a cleaning line, where dead insects, foreign particles, if any are removed. Finishing touches are given to grades by removing lower grades. Cashew kernels are packed in controlled atmosphere. Ambient air is removed and replaced with CO2 and Nitrogen gasses.