Have you ever pulled a cashew nut from its bag and discovered it has little black flecks all over it? If so, you’re probably horrified, and wondering whether you should throw it away immediately. What about the rest of the bag? Are any of them safe to eat?
Black spots on your cashews can often be caused by worms inside the cashew. These will often appear as little brown or black holes, and there may be multiple ones on a single cashew. Sometimes, the whole bag will be affected. In some cases, black spots could also indicate that your nut has gone off. Do not eat cashews with black spots.
We’re going to find out more about the cause of black spots in cashew nuts, and whether these make them unsafe to eat, or whether you can consume the cashew nut. We’ll also check out the clearest signs of a nut going moldy, so you know what else to check for.
What Causes Black Spots On A Cashew Nut?
A couple of different things can cause black spots on cashew nuts, but it’s usually easy to tell what you’re dealing with. In most cases, black spots will be caused by one of two problems:
- A worm infesting the cashew (this will usually result in small, somewhat rounded black holes)
- Mold growing on the cashew (this will usually result in black or brown patches, accompanied by other signs of decay)
No matter which you are dealing with, it’s best not to eat the cashew nut. There is a risk that it could make you sick. The presence of a worm may not be a problem in itself, but few people are keen on the idea of consuming worms, even if they are not harmful. It is therefore safest to throw the cashew away, regardless of the cause.
If the cashew has got wet, there’s a high chance that it will have started to grow mold and bacteria on its surface. In these instances, more of the nut will probably turn black or brown, and you may be able to see fuzzy mold spots, which might wipe away if you touch them. This is dangerous and could make you very sick if you eat it.
In some cases, you might see brown spots on a cashew that are caused by an oil called p-Anisic acid. This is caused when the nuts are exposed to oxygen, or when the raw nut gets crushed – but it’s not particularly common in a package of cashews that has been correctly sealed and stored. You should still be cautious and throw the cashew away.
How Do You Know If A Cashew Has Gone Bad?
It is usually fairly easy to tell when a cashew has gone bad, and you should always inspect cashews before eating them, especially if you have stored them for a while in an open bag.
A moldy cashew will usually:
- Be shriveled and wrinkly, and smaller than usual (because moisture has evaporated from the nut)
- Feel oily or sticky
- Have patches of discoloration or possibly even mold growth on the surface
- Have a strange, unappetizing aroma
- Taste sour or bitter when you bite into it
You should throw away cashews that you are unsure about, or that have any of the signs listed above. They are not safe to eat, and could make you sick if you consume them. Cashews contain a lot of oil, and this will quickly start to smell and taste odd if the cashew has gone off – so use this to determine whether it is safe to eat.
How Should You Store Cashews?
Proper storage won’t prevent black spots caused by worm damage (these will be present when you buy the cashews), but it should stop the cashews from going off quickly once you have opened them. You must put cashews in an airtight container, and then store them either in your refrigerator or in a cool, dark place.
Do not let the cashews get wet, or there is a high risk that they will go off very quickly. Stored at room temperature, fresh cashews should last for around 2 months, while they will keep for about 9 months if they are chilled. If you want them to last longer still, freeze them for up to 9 months.
Cashews that have been roasted or salted will have different shelf-life expectancies, so it’s a good idea to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines in these cases.
Conclusion
Cashews usually develop black spots as a result of damage from a worm getting into the fruit. This is not uncommon, so look out for small brown or black holes in your cashews. Black spots can also be the result of the cashew getting damp and turning moldy, or the cashew simply turning bad.
