If you want to serve fewer calories per snack occasion, choose a measured portion of cashews and don’t describe the product as low-calorie. According to the European Commission, a solid food can only be labelled low energy if it contains no more than 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g; the cashew varieties discussed here are well above that limit. Also choose based on flavour, ingredients and allergen information, and take into account how much you’ll actually serve.
You want to serve cashews and decide in advance how many grams to set out for each snack occasion. Weighing them makes the portion clear; a smaller portion doesn’t change the nutritional values per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 154 kcal for a 25 g handful of unsalted cashews.
You want to choose a suitable variety and make allergen information clearly available when serving. The NVWA requires the specific type of nut to be named when serving unpackaged nuts.
You want to match pack size to the number of portions and organise preparation, storage and serving. For professional catering, the NVWA explains that you must work with an HACCP food safety plan or an approved hygiene code.
First compare the nutritional values per 100 g, then decide how much each portion you serve should weigh. Ingredients, salt, allergen information and the amount of preparation involved also matter when choosing between varieties.
| What to consider | What should you look for? | Who is this relevant to? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy per portion | Compare the kcal per 100 g on the exact pack and weigh the portion. | If I want to serve a measured amount at each snack occasion, I check both the portion weight and the label; around 36% of consumers prioritise energy per portion. |
| Allergens and serving | Name cashews specifically and check the product-specific allergen information. | If I’m serving guests, I want to know which type of nut is in the bowl and be able to provide the relevant information; around 29% of consumers prioritise allergen information and safe serving. |
| Preparation and stock | Match the pack weight to the number of portions and plan weighing and storage. | If I need to prepare lots of portions at once, I want to be able to buy the right quantity without treating the whole bag as a single portion; around 21% of consumers focus mainly on portion preparation and leftover stock. |
| Ingredients and flavour | Check the ingredients and salt content; unsalted or made without added oil doesn’t mean a product is low-calorie. | If I’m looking for a simple ingredients list or a savoury flavour, I want to be able to compare these qualities separately; around 14% of consumers prioritise ingredients and flavour. |
Unsalted describes the salt content, not the energy content. The unsalted cashew products reviewed declare around 598–622 kcal per 100 g; for solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g for a low-energy claim.
Compare the nutritional values on the exact pack and weigh the portion you plan to serve.
Duyvis describes Cashews Original as oven-roasted without added oil, but also lists salt and flavourings.
Check the ingredients, salt content and preparation method separately on the pack.
A 500 g pack doesn’t determine how much each guest gets. Weighing portions takes time and requires a suitable approach to storage and serving.
Plan the number of portions and the weight of each one in advance. For professional catering, follow the relevant HACCP procedures or approved hygiene code.
Cashews themselves are an allergen; products may also carry warnings about the possible presence of other allergens.
When serving unpackaged nuts, name the specific type and make the product-specific allergen information available. The NVWA sets out the requirements for providing information verbally and displaying a clear notice at the point of sale.
Duyvis Cashews Original is an oven-roasted, savoury-seasoned variety in a 125 g pack. The manufacturer describes the product as roasted without added oil.
The varieties reviewed are AH Terra Unroasted Cashews 200 g and AH Unsalted Cashews 170 g.
Jumbo offers reviewed unsalted varieties in 200 g and 500 g packs for those who want to weigh out their own portions.
Lidl’s product description lists unsalted cashews.
ALDI lists Trader Joe’s roasted, unsalted cashews in a 250 g pack.
PLUS Unsalted, Unroasted Cashews 200 g are an option if you’re looking for unroasted cashews.
These products offer a range of cashew varieties to help with portion planning, with different information on ingredients, salt and nutritional values.
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A good choice if you want to use the ingredients list and nutritional values to weigh out portions.
The product information lists 100% cashew kernels and 604 kcal per 100 g.
Cashew kernels are listed as an allergen.
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A good fit if you’re looking for a roasted, unsalted variety and want to decide on the portion size yourself.
The product information lists cashews as an ingredient, 596 kcal per 100 g and a net weight of 200 g.
Cashews are listed as an allergen.
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A good fit if you want to include a savoury, salted variety in your portion planning.
The product information lists 98% cashews, sunflower oil and 1.0% salt.
Cashews are listed as an allergen.
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A good fit if you’re looking for a smaller pack of salted cashews.
The nutrition table lists 596 kcal and 0.9 g of salt per 100 g.
Cashews are listed as an allergen.
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A good fit if you’re looking for oven-roasted cashews with a savoury flavour.
The product information lists 586 kcal per 100 g and 4–5 portions per pack.
The ingredients list includes salt and a savoury seasoning mix. The allergen information lists cashews, gluten, wheat and peanuts.
Not if their nutritional value is above the limit for that claim. According to the European Commission, solid foods must contain no more than 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g to qualify for a low-energy claim; the cashew products reviewed are well above that limit. A smaller portion doesn’t change the limit per 100 g.
Multiply the declared kcal per 100 g by the number of grams weighed out, then divide by 100. At the 598 kcal per 100 g listed by PLUS, a 15 g portion contains 89.7 kcal; 15 g is used here as an example calculation, not as personal dietary advice.
Make it clear that they are cashews and ensure the product-specific allergen information is available. The NVWA requires information given verbally to be available immediately before purchase, and also in writing or electronically for staff and inspectors, with a clearly visible notice at the point of sale.
Match the net weight to the number of portions and weigh each portion separately. A 500 g bag can provide stock, but it doesn’t determine how much each guest gets; remember to plan preparation and storage too.
Yes. According to the NVWA, if you prepare, process or sell food professionally, you must work with an HACCP food safety plan or an approved hygiene code.
