Cashew grades explained: wholes, splits and pieces

Cashew grades are defined first by whether the kernel is whole, split or in pieces, and then by size. White wholes are graded by count per pound - W180 (largest), W210, W240 and W320 (the most popular). Below the wholes sit white splits, large pieces, small pieces and baby bits, which cost less and suit bakery, cereal, spreads and coatings.

Cashews are the most-traded tree nut in the UK food industry and our most-requested line, yet "cashews" on a quote can mean a dozen different products. Understanding the grade ladder is the difference between paying for premium wholes you do not need and getting exactly the right kernel for your process.

What the cashew grade code actually means

Almost every cashew grade you will be quoted begins with a letter and a number, and once you can read it the whole system falls into place. The letter describes the kernel: W for white whole, S or SW for scorched whole, LWP and SWP for large and small white pieces, SP for splits, and BB for baby bits. The number on the white wholes is a count per pound: roughly how many kernels make up 453g. A W320 has around 320 kernels to the pound; a W180 has around 180, which is why it is so much larger.

The single rule worth memorising is this: a lower number means a bigger kernel, and a bigger kernel costs more. Everything else is a variation on size, colour and breakage. Get fluent in the code and you will never overpay for a grade your process does not need.

White wholes: the W grades in detail

White whole cashews are the premium tier, ivory-coloured kernels with no scorching and minimal breakage. They are graded purely by count, and the differences between them are real money:

• W180 - the largest commonly traded grade, sometimes marketed as "king" cashews. Big, uniform, elegant kernels for luxury gifting, premium retail packs and gourmet presentation. The most expensive grade, and worth it only where the visible size of the nut is part of the product.
• W210 - just below W180 in size, offering most of the visual impact at a lower price. Popular for premium snacking, festive lines and presentation packs.
• W240 - a versatile medium-large grade and a genuine all-rounder. Large enough to look generous in a snack pack, keen enough on price for food service, curries, sweets and daily snacking.
• W320 - the most popular and widely available grade in the world, and the workhorse of the trade. A consistent medium whole that suits snacking, own-label retail and most manufacturing. If you are unsure where to start, start here.
• W450 - smaller whole kernels at a keener price, where a whole nut is needed but size is not a selling point.

For most snacking and own-label retail, W320 is the default. Step up to W240 or W210 when the kernel is on show, and reserve W180 for genuinely premium, size-led products.

Cashew grades compared at a glance

Grade	Approx. count per lb	Kernel size	Best for	Relative price
W180	~170-180	Extra large	Gifting, premium retail	Highest
W210	~200-210	Large	Premium snacking, festive	High
W240	~220-240	Medium-large	Food service, retail, all-round	Mid-high
W320	~300-320	Medium	Snacking, manufacturing (most popular)	Mid
W450	~400-450	Small whole	Whole-nut use, value	Lower
White Splits (SW/SP)	n/a (halves)	Half-kernels	Ingredient use, bakery	Lower
Large Pieces (LWP)	n/a	Broken	Bakery, cereal, confectionery	Lower
Small Pieces (SWP)	n/a	Small broken	Bars, spreads, inclusion	Lowest whole-quality
Baby Bits (BB)	n/a	Granules	Toppings, fillings, dusting	Value

Splits and pieces: the value tier

This is where most buyers leave money on the table. When a kernel is going to be chopped, baked, blended or coated, you almost never need a whole nut - and the broken grades carry the identical flavour and nutrition at a noticeably lower price:

• White Splits (SW) - clean half-kernels for ingredient use where whole appearance is not essential. Visually neat, just halved.
• Large Pieces (LWP) - larger broken kernels, ideal for bakery, cereal, trail mixes and confectionery where some texture is wanted.
• Small Pieces (SWP) - smaller broken pieces for energy bars, spreads, pralines and bakery inclusion.
• Baby Bits (BB) - fine cashew granules for toppings, fillings, dusting and as a flavour carrier.

A worked example: a manufacturer putting cashews into a cereal bar specified W320 wholes out of habit. Switching to large pieces cut the ingredient cost meaningfully with no change to the finished bar, because the nut was chopped anyway. Matching grade to application is the single most effective way to protect margin in the cashew category.

Scorched and roasting grades

Not every kernel is bright white, and that is not always a problem. Scorched grades (SW180, SW240, SW320 and so on) are whole kernels that carry a light amber colour from the roasting stage of processing. For anyone who is going to roast and salt the nut anyway, that colour disappears entirely in the finished product - so a scorched grade can deliver a whole, intact kernel at a useful discount to the equivalent white whole. If you run a roast-and-salt operation, always ask whether a scorched grade suits, because it frequently does.

Origin: Vietnam, India and what it changes

Most cashews reaching the UK are processed in Vietnam and India, with raw nuts often originating in West Africa before processing. Vietnam dominates global volume and is strong on consistent grading and competitive pricing; Indian processing has a long-standing reputation for careful hand-grading on premium lines. Neither is universally "better" - the right origin depends on the grade, the volume and the price point you are working to.

A capable importer buys across both, which protects you when one origin has a tight season or a price spike, and lets them match the lot to your specification rather than selling you whatever happens to be in the warehouse.

How to specify cashews when you enquire

To get an accurate, comparable quote first time, state five things: the grade (for example W320), the form (whole, split, pieces), the quantity (from a quarter pallet to a container), the application (so the supplier can suggest a better-value grade if one fits), and any food-safety requirement such as aflatoxin testing. With those details, a serious importer can confirm origin, packing and price quickly - and flag if a different grade would serve you better.

How Pilco supplies cashews

Cashews are our flagship line and our most-requested product. We hold the full grade range - W180 through W320 and W450, white splits, large and small pieces and baby bits, plus scorched and roasting grades - from trusted processors in Vietnam and India, selected for colour, count accuracy and low breakage. We supply from a quarter pallet to full container loads, with specifications and health certificates for every line, and we will always recommend the grade that fits your process rather than the most expensive one.

Frequently asked questions

What does W320 mean on cashews?

W320 means approximately 320 white whole cashew kernels per pound. It is the most popular grade - a consistent medium whole suited to snacking and manufacturing. A lower number such as W180 indicates a larger kernel.

Are cashew pieces lower quality than wholes?

No. Pieces are the same kernel, simply not whole. They cost less and are ideal where cashews are processed into bars, spreads, bakery or coatings. For ingredient use, pieces deliver the same flavour at a better price than wholes.

Which cashew grade is best for roasting and salting?

Whole roasting grade or a standard W320 both roast well. Lightly-scorched grades can offer value for roast-and-salt operations, as minor colour variation disappears after roasting.

Where does Pilco source cashews?

We source cashews from established processors in Vietnam and India, selected for colour, count accuracy and low breakage, and supply the full grade range across the UK food trade.