Guess What Kind of Tree This Is!!

We were on a drive to Grecia with Francisco when he pulled over by a tree and picked some fruit challenging us to guess what it was. No luck. Finally after many hints, we guessed it! Okay, I'll admit it. He had to give us a bunch of clues. So many that it was starting to be embarrassing.

 The tree -

 The fruits -

 What is it?

 The seed grows OUTSIDE the fruit -

 Take a look at the shape of that seed. Got it?

 Yes! It's a cashew! And these are cashew apples. And if you're wondering why your local produce section doesn't carry this - here's why -  "The pulp of the cashew apple is very juicy, but the skin is fragile, making it unsuitable for transport."

And also it's poisonous - The seed is surrounded by a double shell that contains an allergenic acid, a potent skin irritant.  Properly roasting cashews destroys the toxin, but it must be done outdoors as the smoke (not unlike that from burning poison ivy) contains droplets which can cause severe, sometimes life-threatening, reactions by irritating the lungs. So let's be be careful out there folks!

These yellow cashew apples were on a tree in Cameron and Therese's yard outside of Puerto Jimenez on the Osa Peninsula.  I do so want a cashew tree when I get my own place in Costa Rica!