Cashew Grades Explained: What W180, W240 and W320 Actually Mean
Shopping for cashews online, you'll see codes like W180, W240 and W320 next to very different prices. Most people ignore them and pick by price — and often overpay or get the wrong grade for their use. Once you understand the code, you'll buy cashews like a pro. It's simpler than it looks.
What the 'W' and the number mean
The 'W' stands for White Wholes — clean, whole, ivory-coloured kernels. The number tells you how many cashews make up one pound (about 450g). So a lower number means bigger nuts (fewer fit in a pound), and a higher number means smaller nuts.
- W180 — 'King of cashews'. The largest, priciest. About 180 nuts per pound
- W240 — large and premium, a popular gifting grade
- W320 — the most popular grade worldwide; the best balance of size and price
- W450 — smaller kernels, budget-friendly, perfect for everyday cooking
Beyond wholes: splits and pieces
Not every cashew stays whole during processing. Broken kernels are graded too, and they're a smart buy when appearance doesn't matter:
- Splits (JH) — cashews split into two halves; great value for cooking
- Large White Pieces (LWP) — broken pieces, ideal for gravies, sweets and roasting
- Small pieces (SWP) — perfect for garnishing and grinding into pastes
Which grade should you actually buy?
- For gifting or premium snacking — W180 or W240; the size makes an impression
- For everyday snacking and all-round use — W320; you rarely need bigger
- For cooking gravies, kheer and sweets — splits or pieces; you're grinding or softening them anyway, so don't pay for wholes
For most homes, W320 is the smart default and pieces are the smart saving. Save the W180 for gifts.
Buy the right grade with confidence
Now that you can read the label, you'll never overpay for the wrong grade again. Nutria clearly labels its cashew grades so you know exactly what you're getting — premium W-grade wholes for snacking and gifting, and value pieces for the kitchen. Browse our cashews and pick the grade that fits.
