Organic Cashew Flour

As the world gains awareness about Celiac Disease and other sources of gluten intolerance, an increasing number of flour alternatives have come on the market. Cashew flour not only allows for baking and thickening like traditional flour might, but adds the nutritional benefits of cashews that are not present in the typical bag of white all-purpose flour. Many people are nervous to try a flour substitute or don’t know where to start in choosing the appropriate one. If you are curious about cashew flour’s origins, benefits, or what you might use it for, keep reading. Your cabinets will be stocked with this cashew powder in no time!

What is in Cashew Flour?

The answer to this is deceptively simple: cashews. While most people probably can’t tell you what all-purpose flour is made of, or where it comes from, cashew flour is a simple, one-ingredient alternative. Not only does this mean it can be easily made at home, it means there is no processing or additives in the flour, making it a natural and healthy option in addition to being gluten-free.

If you want to make your own cashew flour at home, you can follow three simple steps to do so:

1. Start with bulk cashews of high quality, about 2 cups worth. Place the cashews into a high-powered blender or food processor and process until you see a fine cashew powder leftover. Make sure to scrape the sides periodically.
2. Sift this powder through a fine, mesh sieve to find any large bits.
3. Return these large pieces to the blender and process them until they are consistent with the other powder and pass through the sieve.

Once your flour is completed, store it in an airtight container in the freezer until it is needed.

If you want to skip these steps, you can also purchase ready-made cashew flour. Just make sure you check the ingredients to avoid preservatives and additives that may not be necessary.

Uses for Cashew Flour

For the most part, cashew flour can be used in any recipe that calls for traditional flour. In most recipes, you can directly substitute the cashew flour- meaning if a recipe calls for two cups of all-purpose flour, you can use two cups of cashew flour. As you begin to use the new flour, you may experiment with using slightly more or less to get the consistency you want.

Baking is a common way to use cashew flour, but it can also be used to do things like bread chicken or thicken sauces. The rich, creamy texture translates into dishes, so you may notice a slightly different taste than normal. Luckily, cashews are already a great addition to both sweet and savory dishes, so the flour only adds dimension, rather than an odd after taste.
Whether you are looking to make bread, cake, cookies, fried chicken, or soup, cashew flour can be used and adds benefits that traditional white flour would not.

Health Benefits of Cashew Flour

Because it is made purely from cashews, cashew flour is full of all the nutritional benefits that cashew has to offer. When added to baked goods or meals, they benefit from the same benefits. As white flour is not known for being a healthy food, even if you can tolerate gluten, this makes some guilty pleasures much more acceptable to eat! The benefits listed below are just some of the reasons cashews are a great addition to your diet.

• Cashews are full of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals- especially known for their high levels of good, unsaturated fats which have been linked to heart health. At the same time, they are low in sugar. One cup of regular, white flour contains 455 calories, 95.4 carbohydrates, and 12 grams of protein. The equivalent amount of cashew flour contains 479 calories, 26 carbohydrates, and 16 grams of protein. For those on a plant-based diet, cashews provide protein almost equivalent to the same quantity in meat. Cashew flour can be a great way to sneak protein into your diet when it may be lacking!
• Like many nuts and needs, cashews contain a wide variety of antioxidants, or plant compounds that help to keep your body healthy. These antioxidants neutralize molecules that cause damage, allowing your body to better fight inflammation and disease. Cashews are particularly rich sources of polyphenols and carotenoids, which have been linked to lower levels of cell damage over time.
• While fat content is usually advised against for those trying to lose weight, cashews can actually be a good weight loss tool when eaten in a healthy and moderate way. When used instead of traditional flour, cashew flour is definitely a more diet-friendly option. The protein and fiber present in cashew flour are also recommended parts of a weight loss plan, as they promote feeling full and reduce overall hunger.
• Cashews and other nuts in diets are heavily linked to a decreased risk of problems like strokes and heart disease. This is in part because cashews are shown to improve good cholesterol and lower bad cholesterol, as well as lower blood pressure. The polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat levels in cashews make them a heart-healthy choice.
• People who suffer from Type 2 diabetes will likely benefit from a flour substitute with fewer carbohydrates already, but cashews can provide them additional benefits. The fiber in cashews can prevent spikes in blood sugar, the biggest concern for diabetics.
• Cashews are high in copper, iron, and magnesium, which all help to maintain bone health and strength over time. They also have a similar impact on hair, nails, and skin, keeping them healthy and strong over time. Copper can also aid in the production of melanin, which helps with skin and hair pigment. Not only is cashew flour good for the body, but it also might help you ward off gray hairs a bit longer!
• A wide range of vitamins are found in cashews, including magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, zinc, vitamin B6, and vitamin K. These all offer a range of benefits and are important to get through natural sources, rather than supplements, whenever possible.

Choosing the Right Cashew Flour

It is easier than ever to find flour alternatives, including cashew flour. However, in addition to looking out for ingredients, you also should be aware of where your cashew flour is sourced from. Many nut companies rely on underpaid, poorly treated workers to harvest cashews that are then exported to forced laborers overseas before being packaged and sent to your local grocery store.

When you buy cashew powder from Beyond the Nut, you are making a choice that is not only good for your body, but is also good for the world. Beyond the Nut provides jobs to people in Benin by keeping the entire process local, with workers fairly paid and treated. This empowers local workers and helps to boost the economy in Africa, without exporting cashews to other locations. Not only is our cashew flour gluten-free, but it is also vegan, GMO-free, fair trade, and ethically made.

Whether it is because of an intolerance or a choice, choosing to use a flour substitute can be one of the first steps to evaluating what you consume and making sure it is in line with your values. At Beyond the Nut, our cashew flour is made from high quality, ethically sourced cashews that align with your views.