The major quantity of raw cahsewnuts required for the processing are carefully selected and collected directly from the farmers with whom we have a buyback arrangement with a premium to market price.

The dried raw cashewnuts are roasted through steam process for about 15-20 minutes. The process is basically ment for seperation of the kernel within the shells so that the breakage in the process is minimum. The roasted nuts are then kept in open at room temperature for a day.

The deshelling operation is done with the help of small hand operated cutting machines. Each nut has to be carefully fed into the machine to split open so that, the kernels could be separated from the outer shells.

Because of the steam process the kernels have a small percentage of moisture and needs to be evaporated through a baking process. There will be about 4% - 6% breakage in the process.

The natural kernels are kept in trolleys and such trolleys are kept in oven at a controlled temperature of 70 degree C through a heat exchanger for about 7 hours for moisture evaporation.

The de-oiled cashew shell cake is used as fuel for the heat exchanger.

Cashew nuts are a natural product and about one or two percentages of kernels are spoilt either because of climatic effect or because of improper storage facilities at the farms.

The crisp natural kernels are separated manually from outer husk which is brownish in colour. In the process, bad , damaged and inferior nuts are also seperated. In the dehusking process there will be a further breakage by about 12%.

The sorting/grading of cashew kernels are being done as per the standard specifications for Indian Casehw Kenrels as laid down by Government of India under the Export ( Quality Control And Inspection ) Act 1963. Cashew Kernels are graded into white/scorched, wholes and pieces. Eventhough the Govt. of India Act, prescribes 33 grades only 26 grades are commerically viable. Out of this W -180, W - 210 , W - 240 , W - 320, W - 400 and W - 450. Since Goa cashews are superior in quality and size more than 65% of the output is available in W- 320 and W - 240 grades.

The Kernels obtained out of immatured raw cashewnuts or improper roasting are called scroched wholes. However, the basic characteristics and nutritious quality remains same as that of white grades. The split and the smaller pieces are normally picked up by manufacturers of sweets, bakery and confectionery.

The Packing of cashew kernels are in four gallon prime tins with a net weight of 11.34 kgs ( or 25 lbs ) in each tin. The filled tins are then vaccumise and filled with carbon -dioxide gas and sealed to enhance the shelf life. Two identical grades of cashew kernels are packed in one cartoon and the net weight of the cartoon will be 22.68 kgs .

The dimensions of the cartoon are about:

Length 490 mm
Breadth 240 mm
Height 350 mm
Overall volume 0.041 Cu.M/Carton