The cashew is a tree in the family Anacardiaceae. The tree is small and evergreen, growing to 10-12m.

The fruit of the cashew tree is an accessory fruit (sometimes called a pseudocarp or false fruit). The false fruit is an oval or pear-shaped structure that develops from the pedicel and the receptacle of the cashew flower. Called the cashew apple, it ripens turning yellow or red. It is edible, and has a strong "sweet" smell and a sweet taste.

The cashew apple is cooked with water and sugar to make a sweet, brown, paste-like dessert called "dulce de marañón".

The true fruit of the cashew tree is a kidney shaped drupe that grows at the end of the cashew apple. Within the true fruit is a single seed, the cashew nut. The seed is surrounded by a shell containing anacardic acid, a strong skin irritant.

The cashew nut is a popular snack. It is also commonly used in Indian cuisine. The nut can be used whole for garnishing sweets or curries, or ground into a paste.