Yes, you can eat cashew fruit (often called the cashew apple), and in many tropical countries it is eaten fresh or made into juice, jams, and even wine. The ripe fruit is edible, juicy, and usually sweet–tart with some astringency, and it is also rich in vitamin C and other nutrients.

How to eat it

• Eat only the fleshy “apple” part and never the raw nut in its shell, which contains toxic compounds and must be industrially processed first.

• Rinse the fruit well, cut off the attached nut with its shell, then slice and eat fresh, or blend into juice, desserts, or fermented drinks; adding salt or sugar can help reduce the astringent taste.

Safety and cautions

• The fruit itself is considered safe for most people, but those with cashew or tree‑nut allergies should avoid it due to possible cross‑reactivity.

• Because cashew apples are very perishable and quite acidic, they are best eaten soon after harvest and in moderation, especially if you have a sensitive stomach.