A cashew nut is a kidney-shaped seed that grows at the bottom of the cashew apple, the fruit of the cashew tree. It is enclosed in a hard shell that contains a toxic resin called urushiol, which must be removed through careful processing to make the nut safe to eat. Once processed and roasted, cashews have a creamy texture and a mild, buttery, slightly sweet flavor. They are popular as a snack, in cooking, or used to produce cashew nut oil. Cashews are also valued for their nutritional benefits, being rich in healthy fats, protein, vitamins, and minerals.