Nuts

Nuts are simple dry fruits built around a hard outer shell enclosing an edible kernel, and they pack a nutrient-dense combination of healthy fats, fibre, protein, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale, family Anacardiaceae) originated in Brazil and reached India in the 16th century through Portuguese sailors, and is now grown across Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Odisha; it is commonly used for garnishing sweets and curries, ground into a paste that forms the base for curry and sweet sauces, and eaten roasted or raw as a snack. Almond (Prunus dulcis, family Rosaceae), native to the Mediterranean regions of the Middle East, is grown in Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh; it is eaten raw or roasted, sold whole, sliced or as flour, and pressed into almond oil for making almond b …