# Shelled cashews **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 25, 2000, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelled-cashews/42606 "2000-11-25T02:13:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Falcor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecae2f/32.png) [@Falcor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Falcor)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2000, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelled-cashews/42606/1 "2000-11-25T02:13:04Z")
It seems to me that you can never buy cashews in their shells. Do cashews not have shells or is there something about their shells that they are hiding from the American public. Are cashews even nuts that come in a shell or are they some kind of other plant?..if any one can help with this matter, it would be much appreciated ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_Bowe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df788c/32.png) [@Doug\_Bowe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_Bowe)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2000, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelled-cashews/42606/2 "2000-11-25T02:35:21Z")
## The cashew has 2 shells. Between the two is a brown oil that is toxic and can cause blisters on the skin. That part is fact. I HAVE BEEN TOLD that bringing in raw unshelled cashews is illegal in the US. Here’s what Britannica dot com had to say about it. In some localities the dried nuts are roasted by being placed among burning logs, where the heat causes the outer shells to burst open and release the oil. The oil quickly catches fire, giving off fumes injurious to the eyes and skin. In improved methods of roasting, the poisonous properties are dispelled in roasting cylinders. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2000, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelled-cashews/42606/3 "2000-11-25T02:42:08Z")
I thought Cecil had covered this one, but I can’t find it. **Doug Bowe** is right about the oil. The cashew is a relative of poison ivy. I have never heard that the oil will do anything worse than cause a rash. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2000, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelled-cashews/42606/4 "2000-11-25T02:47:44Z")
Check out this mailbag article. Apparently the oil found in poison ivy and cashew shells (urushiol) can be fatal if you burn it and breathe the fumes. [http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mpoisonivy.html](http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mpoisonivy.html) ---
**Author:** ![Falcor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecae2f/32.png) [@Falcor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Falcor)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2000, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelled-cashews/42606/5 "2000-11-27T05:08:34Z")
you information was quite useful thanks. I had tried searching for the coluom about it but was unable to find it. thanks again. you can always count on the message board. ---
**Author:** ![Jorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@Jorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jorge)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2000, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelled-cashews/42606/6 "2000-11-27T07:43:56Z")
BTW, the fruit is tasty and makes a nice juice - and even wine…But raw, the pucker factor is up there with raw cranberry juice.