Cashew Butter: How it’s Made, Nutrition Fact, and More!

As cashew nuts are naturally soft and high in healthy fats, they blend into a spread-like consistency very easily with minimal added oils needed. In some brands, sweeteners and salt are sometimes added for taste and flavor experiences.  

An unsweetened, unsalted variety of cashew butter will have a simple and clean ingredients list of just cashew nuts and oil.

Cashew butter can be considered a healthy nut butter option, as it’s full of heart-healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, plant-based protein, and a variety of vitamins and minerals. Cashew butter has a creamy, mild, and nutty flavor with a tinge of sweetness.

Where did cashew butter originate from? 

Cashew nuts—the main ingredient of cashew butter—come from the cashew tree, native to northeastern Brazil. Now the tree is also commercially cultivated in other warm countries. In the 1500s, the cashew fruit was spread around the world by Portuguese explorers. 

Cashew nuts aren’t a true nut, they’re actually the “seed” of the cashew fruit, and this seed—which is rich in oil—is commonly used in Southeast Asian and Indian cuisine. In Western countries, they’re eaten as a protein-rich snack food or made into cashew butter.

How is cashew butter served or eaten?

Cashew butter can be used anywhere you’d use peanut butter or other nut butter. There are so many creative ways to eat cashew butter, including:

• As a snack—use as a spread on crackers or toast
• When baking, add to muffins, protein balls, cookies, bread, and desserts
• With savory noodle dishes
• For a substitute for tahini in hummus 
• With smoothies as a thickener or protein boost
• Putting a spoonful into yogurt or porridge or even over fruit
• Dipping crudites in it, like carrot or celery sticks

What are the different varieties of cashew butter?

Cashew butter comes in a variety of flavor options. In many fresh produce stores, you can find varieties of cashew butter such as:

• Salted or unsalted
• Sweetened or unsweetened 
• Chocolate, cacao, coconut, or maple-flavored
• Protein-packed/combined with other nuts and seeds

How is cashew butter made?

Cashew butter is very simple and easy to make at home. All you need is a blender. Many cashew butter recipes recommend blending or grinding cashews with some oil in a food processor or blender until a smooth consistency is reached. 

And making your own cashew butter is a way of controlling how much salt, sweetener, or oil goes into your recipe.

Traditionally, cashew butter is made by:

• Roasting the cashews (optional, but it adds more flavor)
• Blending or grinding in a food processor or high-speed blender
• Continuing to mix until the cashew nuts form a smooth, thick paste
• Adding salt and sweetener and continuing to process/blend until thoroughly combined

What is the nutritional value of eating cashew butter?

Since cashew butter is made from cashews, it provides many benefits and the same nutrients found in raw cashew nuts. Being an antioxidant powerhouse, cashew butter is packed with: 

• Protein. 2 Tbsps of cashew butter provides 6g of protein. 
• Unsaturated fats. Cashew butter is full of heart-healthy “good fats.”
• Omega-3 fatty acids. Out of all the nuts, cashew nuts have one of the highest levels of omega-3 fatty acids.  
• Vitamins and minerals. Although it has a lower protein volume than peanut butter, cashew butter is richer in other nutrients, such as iron, copper, magnesium, L-arginine, vitamin E, and phosphorus.   
• Plant sterols. Plant sterols occur naturally in nuts.

What is the shelf life of cashew butter?

Unopened nut butter like cashew butter has a shelf life of around 1 year. Once opened, cashew butter can be stored in the pantry for 3 months.

How to store cashew butter

Once cashew butter is opened, store it in your pantry or another cool, dark place. Although it doesn’t require refrigeration, you can also keep it in the refrigerator, where it may stay good for around 4-5 months. 

How to tell if cashew butter is bad

The best way to tell if opened cashew butter is bad is to check its smell and appearance. If it has an odd taste or odor, or if you see mold on it, throw it out. 

What can I substitute for cashew butter?

You can use almond butter as a substitute where cashew butter is needed in homemade baked goods and sauces. And sunflower seed butter has a similar flavor and texture, making it an excellent substitute for cashew butter.

What should I look for when buying cashew butter at the grocery store?

When shopping for fresh produce, look out for cashew butter that has a simple ingredient list.  

If you want the healthiest option, ask your Instacart shopper to choose a cashew butter that’s unsweetened, unsalted, and with no added oils for you. You can also ask them to look for cashew butter made with non-GMO or organically grown cashews if you’re keen on keeping things organic.

If you are looking to have your groceries delivered, you can easily shop for cashew butter via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the ‘instructions’ option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products. Shop for cashew butter.

Get cashew butter delivered

When you’re craving a snack but want to keep it healthy, grab some luxuriously creamy cashew butter and spread it, dip it, or bake with it. Add cashew butter to your shopping list. And save time by ordering your grocery delivery via Instacart.

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