A new meat alternative based on the cashew fruit has been developed and is expected to be available commercially soon.

Honolulu-based company Cajú Love is the first company to make use of the cashew fruit, usually considered to be a waste product in the farming of cashew nuts, for culinary applications. Their cashew fruit-based meat alternative is claimed to be rich in vitamins, minerals, and protein. Cajú Love also states that the cashew fruit can help protect brain health and support healthy blood sugar levels.

As the cashew fruit is generally discarded in the process of cashew nut production, there are no additional material costs to production of the fruit-based meat alternative. By using these fruits in food, Cajú Love intends to reduce the amount of food waste, as well as conserving water and land for production.

“When I found out that cashew nuts grew on a fruit that was considered waste in the nut industry, I knew we had to do something to change that. The fruit is full of health benefits and cooks just like chicken, pork, tuna and ground meat—it is delicious. My mission is to share with the world a quality whole food plant-based meat alternative that is good for you and sustainable,” said Felipe Barreneche, Co-founder of Cajú Love.

“Our goal is to make it easy for people to make a positive impact in the world and their life through their food choices. Everything we consume directly affects our health and the health of our planet. Cashew fruit meat is an extremely nutritious food for a healthy lifestyle and one of the most sustainable food options. With every cashew meat pack you purchase, you are helping divert food waste and reduce water and land use for food supply,” said Alana Lima, Co-founder of Cajú Love.