Last Updated: Apr 25, 2023 @ 11:27 am.

What are the best cashews? To find out, we tried 9 different brands in a blind taste test. Which were the best lightly salted cashews? Raw cashews? What about organic brands? Here are the ones we think are best.

FYI: We've been reviewing and rating products for the home and families since 1994. To keep things independent, we don't take money or freebies from brands we review! Our work is 100% reader-supported!


The Best Cashews: Our Taste Tests Reveal These Winners

Let’s talk cashews!

Ever wonder why you don’t see cashews in a shell? 

Native to Brazil, cashew nuts are found at the bottom of the fruit of a cashew tree. The shell of the cashew nut contains a toxic resin as well as a substance that is the same as found in poison ivy. As you can imagine, the shell has to be separated from the cashew before being sold at market!

So how is the cashew separated from its shell? This is done with by boiling the nut in hot oil or high temperature steam. As a result, the cashew is cooked somewhat . . . even those cashews that are labeled as raw.

Cashews are often sold in two varieties: roasted (lightly salted) and raw. Raw cashews are used to make cashew milk or cheese. 

Roasted and lightly salted cashews are used for cooking or snacks.

One important tip: be sure to store cashews in a cool, dry place. Cashews have a relatively high oil content and can absorb odors from other foods—so storing in an airtight container is best.

And a quick allergy alert: even though cashews are gluten free, many brands are processed in facilities that also process wheat (as well as tree nuts). So be careful to read the package before ordering if this is important.

So what are the best tasting cashews on the market? To find out, we did our famous blind taste tests with several brands. So, drum roll, here are the cashews we thought tasted best.

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Best Roasted Lightly Salted Cashews

Delicious! Nice resealable package
This tried and true brand topped our taste tests with its delicious cashews—and just the right amount of salt. Kosher, vegan and roasted in peanut oil.
$9.98 ($0.55 / Ounce)

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Best Budget-Friendly

Buttery flavor, crunchy
You don't have to break the bank to find delicious cashews—this bag of roasted cashews is big on flavor, easy on the wallet. Caveat: a few testers thought these cashews were too salty.
$21.51 ($0.49 / Ounce)

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Best Raw Cashews

No GMO's, no oil processing
We liked the flavor of these raw nuts, with no sodium. Great to make cashew milk, these nuts were fresh and creamy. A few dissenters wished they were more crunchy.
$26.95 ($0.56 / Ounce)

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Best Organic Raw Cashews

Kosher, no GMO's
The mild, buttery flavor of these raw cashews are great for making cashew milk or cheese. Caveat: this package has halves and pieces—not so much whole nuts. Yes, these nuts are USDA organic.
$23.99 ($0.75 / Ounce)

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Why Trust Us

We’ve been rating and reviewing products for the home and families since 1994. We do extensive research, evaluating products with an eye toward quality, ease of use and affordability. When we purchase a product for hands-on testing, we do so with our own money. 

Here’s another key point: we don’t take money from the brands we review. No free samples, no sponsors, no “partnerships.” Our work is 100% reader-supported!

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