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FoodSurprise 5/5Difficulty 2/5Reviewed on September 17, 2026

Cashews are never sold in their shells due to a corrosive toxin.

Why it is true

The shell contains anacardic acid, which causes severe skin burns and is toxic if ingested. Therefore, cashews are always roasted and mechanically shelled before reaching supermarkets.

Source: Botanical Society of America

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