Cashew harvesting process

Cashew harvesting process

 

1. Cashew harvest season in Vietnam

     The cashew harvest season in Vietnam typically takes place from February to June each year, depending on weather conditions and cultivation methods. In major cashew-growing regions such as Binh Phuoc, the harvest often begins at the end of January or February and continues until May or June.
     Harvesting Process

• Early Season: From January to February, cashew trees begin to flower and bear fruit.
• Mid-Season: From March to April, the cashew fruits ripen and fall to the ground. This is the main harvest period, with the highest yield.
• Late Season: From May to June, the yield decreases, but there is still a significant amount of fruit to collect.

     Harvesting Steps

• Collecting: Ripe cashew fruits fall naturally to the ground. Farmers gather the fruits from the ground.
• Drying: After collecting, the cashew fruits are dried in the sun to separate the nuts from the fruit.
• Shelling: The cashew nuts are shelled after drying and then further dried or roasted to ensure quality.

     Notes During Harvest

• Weather Monitoring: Dry weather helps ensure a smooth harvest and drying process.
• Proper Storage: After harvesting, cashew nuts need to be stored carefully to prevent mold and spoilage.

2. Cashew harvest season around the world

     The cashew harvest season worldwide varies depending on geographical location and weather conditions. Here are some detailed insights into the cashew harvest season in major countries:
     In countries located north of the equator:

• India: Cashew harvest usually takes place from January to June each year.
• Vietnam: The cashew harvest also occurs from January to June, depending on weather conditions and cultivation methods.
• Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast): Cashew harvesting takes place from January to June, similar to India and Vietnam.

     In countries located south of the equator:

• Brazil: Cashew harvesting takes place from September to June of the following year.
• Tanzania: Cashew harvesting occurs from January to June, similar to countries north of the equator.

     Harvesting Process:

• Early Season: Around January to February, cashew trees begin to flower and bear fruit.

• Mid-Season: From March to April, cashew fruits ripen and fall to the ground. This is the main harvest period with the highest yield.
• Late Season: From May to June, the yield gradually decreases, but there are still fruits to collect.

     Harvesting Steps:

• Collecting: Ripe cashew fruits fall naturally to the ground. Farmers gather the fruits from the ground.
• Drying: After collecting, the cashew fruits are sun-dried to separate the nuts from the fruit.
• Shelling: The cashew nuts are shelled after drying and then further dried or roasted to ensure quality.

     Notes During Harvest:

• Weather Monitoring: Dry weather helps ensure a smooth harvest and drying process.
• Proper Storage: After harvesting, cashew nuts need to be stored carefully to prevent mold and spoilage.

     Cashew nuts from different countries may have variations in harvest time and quality, but they all make significant contributions to the global export market.

3. How old is a cashew tree before it can be harvested?

     Cashew trees typically take about 3 to 5 years to start producing harvestable nuts after planting. However, the yield and quality of cashew nuts will continue to improve as the tree matures.

• 3-5 years old: The tree begins to produce cashews, but the yield is not yet high.
• 5-10 years old: This is the mature stage of the cashew tree, producing the highest yield and best quality nuts.

• After 10 years: The tree continues to produce nuts, but both the yield and quality may gradually decline over time.

     The specific time for a cashew tree to reach the harvestable stage can vary depending on growing conditions and cultivation techniques.

4. Cashew harvesting process

     a. Determine the ripeness of seeds and fruits

      To determine the ripeness of cashew nuts and fruits, there are several criteria and methods you can apply:
      For cashew fruits:

• Color: Ripe cashew fruits are usually yellow to orange. Unripe fruits will have a lighter green color.

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• Softness: When lightly squeezed, ripe cashew fruits feel softer compared to unripe ones.
• Natural drop: Ripe cashew fruits naturally fall to the ground. This is the clearest sign of ripeness.

      For cashew nuts:

• Size and weight: Ripe cashew nuts are larger, fuller, and heavier compared to unripe ones.
• Shell color: The shell of ripe cashew nuts is usually dark brown to deep brown. Unripe nuts have a lighter-colored shell.
• Hardness: When squeezed, the shell of ripe cashew nuts feels harder and more solid.

     Steps to determine and harvest:

• Observation and collection: Observe the tree and collect the naturally fallen ripe cashew fruits.
• Check color and softness: Check the color and softness of the fruit to determine ripeness.
• Drying: After harvesting, the cashew fruits need to be sun-dried to facilitate shelling.

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• Shelling and checking nuts: Shell the cashew fruits and check the size, weight, and shell color of the nuts to ensure ripeness.

     Notes:

• Storage: After harvesting, cashew nuts should be stored in a dry, cool environment to prevent mold.
• Drying time: The drying process is very important to ensure the highest quality of cashew nuts.

    These methods will help you accurately determine and harvest ripe cashew nuts, ensuring high quality and nutritional value.

     b. Harvesting method

     Harvesting cashews is a crucial process to ensure the quality and yield of the final product. Here are the detailed methods for harvesting cashews:
     Determine the Harvest Time

• Observe Color and Ripeness: Ripe cashew fruits are yellow to orange and softer when lightly squeezed.
• Monitor Natural Timing: Ripe cashew fruits will naturally fall to the ground, which is the clearest sign of ripeness.

     Collect Fallen Fruits

• Hand Collection: Farmers collect naturally fallen cashew fruits from the ground. This process requires careful attention to avoid missing ripe fruits.
• Use of Tools: In some places, farmers may use tools to make fruit collection easier, such as baskets or bags.

      Sun-Dry the Cashew Fruits

• Sun Drying: After collection, the cashew fruits are spread out on a tarp or flat surface to dry in the sun. This process helps dry the fruits, making it easier to separate the nuts from the shells.
• Drying Time: Typically, cashew fruits need to be sun-dried for 3-5 days, depending on weather conditions.

     Shelling the Nuts

• Hand Shelling: Once the cashew fruits are dry, the nuts are shelled by hand or using simple tools. This step requires skill to avoid breaking the nuts.
• Using Shelling Machines: In larger farms or processing facilities, shelling machines are used to increase efficiency and reduce labor.

     Inspect and Store

• Quality Check: After shelling, the cashew nuts are inspected for size, weight, and color to ensure quality.
• Storage: Cashew nuts need to be stored in a dry, cool environment to prevent mold and maintain quality.

     Harvesting Notes:

• Weather Monitoring: Dry weather helps ensure a smooth harvesting and drying process.
• Ensure Cleanliness: The harvesting process should maintain hygiene to avoid compromising the quality of the cashew nuts.

     These methods help ensure efficient cashew harvesting while maintaining the best possible quality for the final product. 

     c. Preserving seeds

     Storing cashew nuts is an important step to maintain their quality and ensure long-term use. Here are the detailed methods for storing cashew nuts:
     Storage Steps:

• Cleaning the Nuts: After harvesting and shelling, cashew nuts need to be cleaned to remove dirt and impurities.
• Drying or Dehydrating: Cashew nuts should be sun-dried or dehydrated to reduce moisture, preventing the growth of bacteria and mold. The ideal moisture content for storing cashew nuts is below 5%.
• Packaging: Use airtight plastic bags or moisture-proof, light-proof packaging to store cashew nuts. The packaging must be sealed to prevent exposure to air and moisture.
• Storing at Proper Temperature: Cashew nuts should be stored in a dry, cool place away from direct sunlight. The ideal storage temperature is between 10-15°C.
• Using Desiccants: Place desiccant packets in the packaging to keep the nuts dry, especially in humid climates.
• Regular Inspection: Frequently check the cashew nuts to detect early signs of spoilage, such as foul odor or mold, and address any issues promptly.

     Notes:

• Avoid High Temperatures: High temperatures can degrade the quality of the nuts, causing them to become rancid and lose flavor.
• Do Not Store with Strong-Smelling Products: Cashew nuts easily absorb odors from other products, so avoid storing them with strongly scented foods.
• Repackage After Opening: If not using all the nuts at once, repackage them immediately after opening to ensure the best preservation.

     These methods help keep cashew nuts fresh, ensuring quality and nutritional value over a long period. 

5. Factors affecting the quality of cashew harvest

     The quality of cashew harvest depends on many factors. Here are the main factors:
     Environmental Factors:

• Weather: Weather conditions play a crucial role. Dry weather with little rain during the harvest season helps cashews dry evenly and prevents mold.
• Humidity: High humidity can cause cashews to spoil and mold. Therefore, storage conditions must be dry and well-ventilated.
• Temperature: Extremely high or low temperatures can affect the development of cashews.

     Cultivation Factors:

• Tree Variety: Choosing good tree varieties directly affects the quality and yield of cashews.
• Cultivation Techniques: Proper cultivation techniques, from soil preparation and fertilization to daily care, influence the growth of cashew trees.
• Pest Control: Controlling pests helps cashew trees grow healthily and produce quality nuts.

     Harvesting Factors:

• Harvest Time: Harvesting at the right time when the cashew fruits and nuts are ripe ensures the best quality.
• Harvesting Methods: Careful manual harvesting or using support tools helps avoid damaging the cashews.
• Drying Process: Cashew fruits need to be evenly dried and long enough to facilitate easy shelling and long-term storage.

     Storage Factors:

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• Cleaning: Cashews need to be cleaned to remove impurities and maintain good quality.
• Drying or Dehydrating: Ensuring cashews are properly dried or dehydrated to prevent mold.
• Packaging: Using moisture-proof, airtight packaging to store cashews.
• Storage Conditions: Storing cashews in a dry, cool place away from direct sunlight.

     These factors need to be carefully managed to ensure the highest quality for harvested cashews.

Xem thêm: Mùa thu hoạch hạt điều tại Việt Nam & trên thế giới

Learn more: The cashew harvest season in Vietnam & around the world