The context
	A Sri Lankan tradition
	Drying cashew nuts
	How does the Anagi dryer work?
	Is cashew nut processing sustainable?
	Activities
	Further Information
	Activities prior to 2001
	Is the anagi dryer appropriate for the area?
	Sriyani's story: shelling the nuts
	Mechanical methods
	Mili Nona's story: the effect of the Anagi dryer
	Sriyani's story: shelling the nuts
	Carrying out a taste test
	Thileka's story: peeling the nuts
	Country: Sri Lanka

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Neater nut processing

cashewnutdrier

The context

Each year over £200 million worth of nuts are imported into the UK. So what makes nuts so popular?

• They are a good source of protein, fibre and calcium.
  
• They are rich in fat, which makes them a useful high-energy snack.
  
• They are a good way to add texture and flavour to meals like salads and curries.
  
• They can be used to decorate or garnish products like cakes and vegetables.
  
• They last for up to six months if stored in an airtight container, out of direct sunlight.

We eat nuts in many different shapes and forms - as whole pieces, blanched, chopped, ground and in spreads and cooking oils. One of the most popular and highly nutritious snack nuts is the cashew.

Originally grown in Brazil, cashews were taken by Portuguese traders to Africa and India about 500 years ago. Since then, cashew nut trees have become an important crop in Sri Lanka, where the nut is known as 'cadju'.