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Cashew processing
Graded white wholes, splits, pieces, cashew nut shell liquid
Cashew processing line by GEM Foodtech, Kolkata, India — capacity 500 kg to 10 tonnes of raw nut per hour, final yield 21.5% of raw intake, delivered as a turnkey plant with installation and commissioning worldwide.
The commercial reality
Cashew is a whole-kernel business. The price gap between a W240 whole and broken pieces is large enough that every percentage point of breakage in shelling and peeling is directly visible in the P&L. Steam conditioning and controlled drying exist to protect that percentage.
Process flow diagram
Generated for the standard configuration. Yours is redrawn to your product mix, capacity and site.
Process chart
Every stage with the equipment that performs it, the operating parameter and the control point that decides quality.
| # | Stage | Equipment | Parameter | Control point |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Cleaning and grading | Grader and size sorter | Size grading before shelling | Shelling cutter matched to size |
| 02 | Steam conditioning | Steam cooker and conditioner | Steam 20–25 min at 1.5 bar, then rest | Shell brittle, kernel intact |
| 03 | Shelling | Sheller and decorticator | Automatic or semi-automatic cutters | Whole kernel recovery above 85% |
| 04 | Drying | Belt dryer and dehydration system | Belt dryer, 70–75 °C for 6–8 h to 3% moisture | Testa loosened, kernel not scorched |
| 05 | Humidification and peeling | Peeler, abrasive or steam | Conditioning then pneumatic peeling | Testa removed, breakage minimised |
| 06 | Grading | Grader and size sorter | Size and colour grading to W180 to W450 | Grade accuracy |
| 07 | Roasting and flavouring, optional | Continuous fryer and de-oiler | Roaster with seasoning drum | Value-added grades |
| 08 | Vacuum packing | Filling, sealing and packing line | Vacuum or CO₂ flush, 10 or 25 lb tins | Moisture and rancidity control |
Mass balance
Basis of 1,000 kg of raw material. Change the tonnage below and the whole table rescales.
| Stage | Output, kg/h | Yield | Loss, kg/h | Where the loss goes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raw nut in shell received | 1,000 | 100% | 0 | — |
| After cleaning and grading | 980 | 98% | 20 | Trash and immature nuts |
| Kernel after shelling | 240 | 24% | 740 | Shell to CNSL extraction or fuel |
| After drying and peeling | 220 | 22% | 20 | Testa to feed or fuel |
| Graded kernels | 215 | 21.5% | 5 | Breakage recovered as splits and pieces |
By-products: Shell to cashew nut shell liquid extraction and then to fuel; testa sold for tannin or feed.
Equipment schedule
Core machines for this line. Conveying, tanks, CIP and utilities are added to suit the layout.
| Equipment | Capacity range | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Grader and size sorter | Separation | Separates by size or specific gravity before or after processing. |
| Steam cooker and conditioner | Thermal | Steam conditioning ahead of shelling, flaking or drying. |
| Sheller and decorticator | Separation | Cracks and separates shell from kernel on cashew, peas and corn. |
| Belt dryer and dehydration system | Drying | Multi-zone drying with controlled curve — the GEM core competence. |
| Peeler, abrasive or steam | Preparation | Abrasive carborundum drum or batch steam peeler with flash vessel. |
| Continuous fryer and de-oiler | Thermal | Oil-temperature-profiled frying with centrifugal or vibratory de-oiling. |
| Filling, sealing and packing line | Packing | Weighing, filling, sealing, metal detection and case packing. |
Questions we get on this line
What kernel yield is normal?
22 to 24% of raw nut in shell, with 75 to 85% of that as wholes on a well-run line.
How much does drying affect breakage?
A great deal. Under-dried kernels do not release the testa and break during peeling; over-dried kernels become brittle. The drying window is narrow and worth controlling properly.
What capacity range does the cashew line cover?
Standard GEM Foodtech builds cover 500 kg to 10 tonnes of raw nut per hour. Larger duties are engineered to order — the right size is set by the raw material supply through the season, not the nameplate figure.
Is this supplied as a complete turnkey plant?
Yes. The Cashew processing line is delivered end to end — feasibility, pilot trial on your own material, engineering, manufacture in Kolkata, installation, commissioning and operator training — or as individual machines to fit an existing plant.
Want this line costed for your tonnage?
Send the raw material specification and the capacity you are targeting. You get a flow diagram, an equipment schedule and a budget number.