Budget-conscious party hosts
You’re buying cashew nuts to share and want to have enough without opening more stock than you’ll use. Compare packs by quantity, type and price per kilo.
Who is this buying guide for?
Households that make use of leftovers
You’d like to enjoy the nuts as a snack or use them in dishes after the get-together. Check the salt content, processing and ingredients, and seal an opened pack securely.
Hosts with allergy and safety concerns
If you’re expecting guests with food allergies or young children, choosing suitable nuts matters more than getting a larger pack for less. Check the label and look out for choking warnings.
What should you look for when buying?
One larger pack
A good choice if: you need plenty of cashew nuts for your get-together and already know how you’ll use the rest.
Bear in mind: you’ll open more of your stock at once and need to store the remainder properly.
Several smaller packs
A good choice if: you’re not sure how much you’ll need, or would rather open one pack at a time.
Bear in mind: compare the total price for the same weight; a smaller pack isn’t automatically cheaper.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Value per kilo | Compare the price per kilo for the same quantity and exact product type. | If your main aim is to keep the cost of the quantity you need down, the price per kilo matters more than the word ‘value’ on the pack. Around 29% of consumers put price first when shopping. |
| Quantity and leftovers | Think about who will eat the nuts, what other snacks you’re serving and how you’ll use any leftovers. | If you want enough for your get-together without opening more stock than necessary, choose a pack size that suits your plans. Around 23% of consumers prioritise quantity and leftovers. |
| Type for later use | Check separately whether the nuts are salted, how they have been processed and what ingredients they contain. | If you also plan to snack on the rest or use it in dishes, the type may matter after the get-together. Around 18% of consumers prioritise everyday use. |
| Suitability for guests | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack, and look out for warnings about young children. | If you’re hosting people with food allergies or young children, serving something suitable matters more than getting a larger pack for less. Around 18% of consumers put suitability for guests first. |
| Provenance certification | Look for a certification on the specific product and check that the product type also suits your needs. | If verifiable information about provenance is important to you, check the specific product rather than relying on the supermarket name alone. Around 12% of consumers prioritise provenance. |
Common buying mistakes
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Assuming a larger pack is always cheaper
A larger bag won’t necessarily have the lowest price per kilo. Prices on packs are only easy to compare if the weight and product type match.
Compare the price per kilo and total weight for the same variety. Don’t assume a different flavour or processing method is an equivalent alternative.
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Buying a large bag without a plan for the rest
Once opened, the nuts need to be sealed securely and stored appropriately. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises keeping nuts dry and in a sealed container.
Work out in advance how much you need for your get-together and what you’ll do with the rest. Follow the storage instructions on the pack.
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Confusing ‘no added oil’ with ‘unsalted’
Duyvis describes Cashews Original as roasted without added oil, but salt is listed among the ingredients. So that description doesn’t mean the nuts are unsalted.
Check the salt content, ingredients and processing separately on the label of the variety you’re buying.
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Thinking a different pack will solve an allergy issue
Cashew nuts are a tree nut allergen. Unsalted cashews still contain cashew; the specific pack may also carry warnings about other allergens. Packs from Albert Heijn and Jumbo also carry choking warnings for young children.
Check the allergen information on the exact product and take your guests’ needs into account. Don’t assume whole nuts are suitable for young children.
Relevant brands and product ranges
Albert Heijn
AH Terra unroasted cashew nuts are an option if you’re looking for a larger unsalted pack for snacking and cooking.
- For its 500 g pack, Albert Heijn lists cashew nuts as the only ingredient and gives a serving size of 25 g, with 20 servings per pack.
- The pack may contain other nuts and peanuts. Unroasted nuts are a different type from seasoned cashews for sharing.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists 500 g value packs of both salted and unsalted cashews, as well as smaller packs.
- This makes it possible to compare products in the range, as long as the weight and type are the same.
- The 500 g unsalted pack reviewed contains 99% cashew nuts and sunflower oil, so ‘unsalted’ doesn’t mean ‘no added oil’ in this case.
ALDI
The Trader Joe’s range includes listed 500 g packs of roasted salted and unsalted cashews, as well as a 250 g pack of roasted unsalted cashews.
- The different pack sizes give you the opportunity to weigh up a large pack against smaller ones.
- The product information doesn’t confirm that the recipes are the same. An NVWA warning applies only to the specified 170 g unsalted pack and its specific barcode; see the frequently asked questions.
Duyvis
Duyvis Cashews Original and a 125 g oven-roasted variety listed by Jumbo are smaller, savoury options for sharing.
- Duyvis describes Cashews Original as oven-roasted without added oil.
- Salt is listed among the ingredients for this variety. The product information also notes that it may contain wheat, peanuts and other nuts.
Lidl
Lidl lists Alesto cashew nuts and a separate Way To Go range for shoppers who also consider provenance.
- Lidl describes Way To Go cashew nuts as Fairtrade. One Alesto product description lists a 500 g pack of lightly roasted nuts with no salt or added oil.
- That description doesn’t confirm current in-store availability and doesn’t automatically apply to all Alesto varieties.
PLUS
PLUS Cashewnoten Gezouten FT is listed as a 170 g tub, for anyone looking for a smaller salted option.
- The product page confirms the contents and that this tub is salted.
- Don’t take this pack size as proof that PLUS doesn’t offer larger packs or that this variety is the best value.
Cashew nuts at Joybuy
This selection of Joybuy products includes smaller portions, a larger pack, and both salted and unsalted cashew nuts.
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Jiazhouyuanye Original Flavour Large Cashew Nuts, 160 g
The 160 g pack is a smaller quantity for your get-together. According to the product description, it can also be used with yoghurt, muesli, in baking and in desserts.
The ingredients list 100% cashew kernels. Contains cashew, a tree nut allergen.
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Duyvis Dry Roasted Cashews, 125 g
The product name describes roasted cashew nuts in a 125 g pack, a smaller option for a get-together.
The product information lists cashew, gluten, wheat and peanuts as allergens. Check the current pack for ingredients and allergen information.
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Verse Klassenoten Salted Cashew Nuts, 150 g
This 150 g pack of salted cashews suits anyone looking for a smaller portion to share.
The product information lists cashew, sunflower oil and salt, and describes the nuts as roasted. Contains cashew, a tree nut allergen.
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Three Squirrels Purple-Shell Cashews, 500 g
The product description lists 500 g of roasted, lightly salted cashew nuts to share or enjoy straight from the pack.
The ingredients list 99% cashew nuts and salt. Contains cashew, a tree nut allergen.
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g'woon Cashew Nuts Roasted & Unsalted, 200 g
This 200 g pack of roasted, unsalted cashews is a smaller option for snacking or using in cooking and baking.
The product information lists cashew nuts. Contains cashew, a tree nut allergen.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 500 g bag of cashew nuts always better value?
No, it depends on the price per kilo and the exact product type. Compare the same weight and variety; a smaller pack may be more practical if you don’t want to open everything at once.
Does unsalted also mean unroasted or made without oil?
No, these are separate characteristics. The 500 g Jumbo pack reviewed is unsalted and contains sunflower oil, while AH Terra is unroasted and lists cashew nuts as an ingredient. Check the processing and ingredients for the exact variety.
How should you store cashew nuts after your get-together?
Seal the pack securely and follow the storage instructions on the label. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises keeping nuts dry and well sealed; also check the instructions and best-before date on your pack.
Is an unsalted pack suitable for someone with a cashew allergy?
No, unsalted cashew nuts still contain cashew. Cashew nuts are a tree nut allergen. If you have other allergies to consider, also check the ingredients and any cross-contamination warnings on the specific pack.
What should you do if there’s a warning about Trader Joe’s unsalted cashew nuts?
Don’t eat the product if its details match the warning from the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority: Trader Joe’s unsalted cashew nuts, 170 g, barcode 2003020120930 and best-before date 23-09-2026. The warning applies to this specific pack and barcode, not automatically to all ALDI cashew nuts.