Cashew nuts are not only a delicious and nutritious snack but also a globally traded agricultural product with strict cashew grades and quality classification systems. Each cashew kernel is carefully graded based on size, color, and appearance, ensuring consistent quality for international buyers and food manufacturers.
In Vietnam, cashew nut grading follows the national standard TCVN 4850:2010, which specifies requirements for cashew kernels (Anacardium occidentale Linnaeus) intended for human consumption. This standard helps producers and exporters maintain clear cashew classification criteria and deliver the best grades of cashew nuts to the market.
1. What Are Cashew Kernels?
Cashew kernels are obtained by shelling and peeling the fruit of the cashew tree. After processing, they are completely free from cashew shell oil and thin silk skin.
High-quality cashew kernels — often referred to as Grade 1 cashew — must meet the following cashew quality grade standards:
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A natural aroma, free from any strange or unpleasant odor
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No visible insects, mold, or contamination
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Moisture content not exceeding 5% by mass
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Less than 1% of the kernel attached to silk skin
These strict cashew grading standards ensure that only premium-quality kernels reach consumers worldwide.
2. Cashew Nuts Grade Codes and Meanings
Cashew nuts are classified using a system of abbreviations that indicate their appearance, color, and processing condition. Understanding the cashew grade chart helps buyers choose the right type of cashew nuts for their purpose — roasting, snacking, or as food ingredients.
| No | Abbreviation | Explanation |
| 1 | W | White |
| 2 | S | Scorched |
| 3 | SS | Second Scorched |
| 4 | LB | Light Blemish |
| 5 | B | Blemish |
| 6 | DB | Dark Blemish |
| 7 | B | Butt |
| 8 | BB | Blemish Butt |
| 9 | S | Split |
| 10 | LP | Large Pieces |
| 11 | SP | Small Pieces |
| 12 | B-B | Baby – Bits |
3. Common Cashew Grades and Their Characteristics
The most popular grades of cashew nuts — such as WW240, WW320, and WW450 — refer to whole white kernels (WW) and the number of kernels per pound or kilogram. The smaller the number, the larger the cashew size.
In general, The cashew nuts grades are listed by the quality classification criteria given below:
| Grade | Grade designation | Number of kernels per KG | Number of kernels per LB | Trade name | Requirement |
| 1 | W 160 | 265-353 | 120 – 160 | White Whole Kernels | Besides the general requirements, the Cashew kernels shall be white, pale ivory or light ash gray, free from black or brown spots |
| 2 | W 180 | 355-395 | 161 – 180 | ||
| 3 | W 210 | 440-465 | 200 – 210 | ||
| 4 | W 240 | 485-530 | 220 – 240 | ||
| 5 | W 320 | 660-705 | 300 – 320 | ||
| 6 | W 450 | 880-990 | 400 – 450 | ||
| 7 | SW 240 | 485 – 530 | 220 – 240 | Scorched whole kernels | The grade of whole white nuts, but the color is darker due to overheating in the process of oil dressing or drying. |
| 8 | SW 320 | 660 – 705 | 300 – 320 | ||
| 9 | SW | – | – | ||
| 10 | WS | – | – |
White Splits |
Kernels split naturally lengthwise. The color of Cashew kernels is the same as the color of whole white kernels |
| 11 | LP | – | – | Large pieces | Broken kernels not passing through a sieve of aperture 4.75 mm |
| 12 | SSP
|
– | – | Scorched Small pieces | Broken kernels pass through a sieve with an aperture of 4.75 mm, but not passing through a sieve with the gap of 2.8 mm |
| 13 | BB | – | – | Baby Bits | Small broken cashew nuts pass through an aperture of 2.8 mm but not through a sieve with a gap of 1.7 mm. |
This cashew nut grading chart is widely used in international trade to ensure clarity between suppliers and buyers. Each grade defines how the types of cashew nuts can be used — from premium whole kernels for packaging to broken pieces for confectionery or ingredient production.
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4. Quality and Purity Standards
To meet export-grade standards, each batch of cashew nuts must comply with strict hygiene and purity criteria:
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Free from insects, molds, and impurities
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Natural flavor and aroma only
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Moisture content ≤ 5%
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Broken kernels ≤ 5% at the time of packing
These cashew grades and standards ensure that every nut maintains its natural flavor, premium quality, and long shelf life. Consistency in cashew classification helps global buyers trust Vietnamese cashews for food safety and taste.
Explore more cashew products here: CASHEW NUTS
5. Cashew Sizes and Usage
Each cashew size serves different purposes in the food industry. For example:
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W180 and W240: large, high-value cashews for luxury snacks and retail packs.
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W320 and W450: medium grades, ideal for roasting or coated cashews.
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LP and SP: small pieces used in bakeries and chocolate manufacturing.
Understanding grades of cashew nuts and cashew nuts types allows producers to match each grade to specific market needs.
Visimex – Pioneering the Journey of Vietnamese Cashews to the World
As a leading cashew exporter in Vietnam, Visimex has partnered with farmers for over 23 years, building a fully integrated supply chain from raw material sourcing to processing. Visimex products meet international certifications including EU Organic, USDA Organic, BRC, and Halal, ensuring the highest standards for global markets.
Beyond exports, Visimex pursues sustainable development, emphasizing social and environmental responsibility, and aims to elevate the value of Vietnamese cashews on the global agricultural map. With the vision “Think of Nature,” Visimex continues to play a pioneering role in bringing Vietnamese agricultural products to the world, strengthening Vietnam’s top position in the global cashew industry.
Contact Information:
+Address: NIC GROUP Building, No. 3A Thi Sach, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi
+Website: https://visimex.com
+Email: sales@visimex.com
+Phone: (+84) 989 255 988 | (+84) 90 456 1155
+LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/visimexcorp
