The cashew tree is a small surprise. The nut, one per fruit, hangs off the bottom of a bright red or yellow pear-shaped thing that is itself edible, sweet, astringent and full of juice. That part is the marañón, and Costa Ricans have been drinking it for centuries.
Where you’ll see it
Gardens, hedges and dry forest edges across Guanacaste. It likes exactly this climate. Look for the odd two-part fruit in the dry season.
What to know
Eat the false fruit fresh, or as juice, or cooked into a jam. Leave the nut alone. The kidney-shaped shell contains an oil that burns skin on contact and gives off toxic smoke when heated, which is why roasting them at home over a fire is a bad idea that people try exactly once. Buy cashews shelled, from people whose job it is.
