Design, Development And Performance Evaluation Of A Manual Cashew Nut Hot Oil Roasting Machine

Abstract

A 300kg/hr cashew nut roasting machine, which uses charcoal as its source of heat energy, was developed. Performance evaluation of the roaster was carried out by roasting 15kg of raw cashew nut (Anarcardium occidentale) in cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) at different moisture content of the nut, roasting temperature and time. Sensory evaluation was carried out on the kernels after roasting.

The result of the evaluation shows that the roaster could roast 15kg of raw cashew nut having a moisture content of 12% wet basis in 3 minutes at a roasting temperature of 130oC, once this optimum temperature was attained.

Key words: Roasting, Cashew nut, moisture content, and optimum condition.

Nigerian Food Journal Vol.22 2004: 183-188