Lee is growing four cashew apple trees on the farm. She started them from seed about a year ago — they haven’t produced fruit yet, but she’s optimistic!
The nut itself has a toxic outer shell, making it difficult and complicated to process. For this reason, many people — including the locals here — have no use for the nut, which they call the “nuez de India” (nuts of India). Instead they enjoy the succulent fruit, which is sweet with the texture of a mango and a spicy, chili-like aroma.
While Lee is waiting for her trees to grow, she gets cashew apples from a local farmer when they’re in season. At the lodge they toss them in a blender to make juice.
Friends of Ek Balam 