QUALITY AND GRADING

Moisture

The moisture level of the cashews max 5 %.

Quality

Cashew kernels are classified as: First Quality Fancy; Second Quality Scorched; Third

Quality Special Scorched; Fourth Quality; and Dessert.

First Quality Fancy cashew kernels have a uniform colour which may be white, light yellow, pale ivory or light ash-grey.

Second Quality Scorched/Colour Variation cashew kernels may be yellow, light brown, light ivory, light ash-grey or deep ivory.

Third Quality Special Scorched/Colour Variation cashew kernels may be deep yellow, brown, amber, and light to deep blue. They may be slightly shriveled, immature, speckled, blemished or otherwise discoloured.

Fourth Quality cashew kernels would qualify as First or Second Quality, except that they have pitted spots.

Lightly Blemished Wholes (LBW) cashew kernels may be light brown, light ivory, light ash-grey or deep ivory. Kernels may show light brown speckles or blemishes on the surface, provided that not more than 40 percent of the kernels are affected.

Lightly Blemished Pieces (LP) cashew pieces may be light brown, light ivory, light ash- grey or deep ivory. Pieces may show light brown speckles or blemishes on the surface, provided that not more than 20 percent of the pieces are affected.

Blemished Wholes (DW) cashew kernels may be deep yellow, brown, amber or to deep blue. Kernels may be slightly shriveled, immature or may be brown speckled or blemished on the surface, provide that not more than 60 percent of the kernels are affected.

Dessert cashew kernels may be scraped, deeply scorched, shriveled, deep-brown-speckled, black-speckled, blemished or otherwise discoloured.

Grading

Whole (W)

A cashew kernel is classified as whole if it has the characteristic shape of a cashew kernel and not more than 1/8 of the kernel has been broken off. This grade may also be designated as "W"

Butts (B)

Kernels which have been broken crosswise are less than 7/8 but not less than 3/8 of a whole kernel, and the cotyledons are still naturally attached. This grade may also be designated as "B"

Splits (S)

One half of a cashew kernel that has been split lengthwise, provided not more than 1/8 of this cotyledon has been broken off. This grade may also be designated as "S".

Pieces

SIZING

Sizing is compulsory in first quality/fancy cashew kernels but is optional for other whole grades.

Size Tolerance: Whole kernels of a lower size grade shall not exceed 10% by weight.

The quantity of broken kernels or pieces in "whole" kernels shall not exceed 10% by weight. The quantity of pieces present in "butts" and "splits" shall not exceed 10% by weight.

The quantity of the next lower size grade in "pieces" shall not exceed 5% by weight.