Quality control starts before raw cashew nuts enter the processing line.
For small processors, buying stations and family-owned cashew businesses, a simple receiving inspection can help identify quality problems early, improve raw-material consistency and create better traceability between suppliers and processing lots.
This practical checklist provides a structured way to inspect Raw Cashew Nuts (RCN) before acceptance and storage.
Why inspect raw cashew nuts at receiving?
The quality of raw cashew nuts can influence processing efficiency, kernel recovery and the quality of the finished product.
A receiving inspection helps processors identify problems before different lots are mixed together.
Important checks include:
- supplier and lot identification
- general physical condition
- moisture
- nut count
- defective nuts
- cutting test and KOR when required
- foreign materials
- bag and storage condition
- final receiving decision
1. Supplier and lot information
Each delivery should be identified before inspection.
Useful information includes:
- farmer or supplier name
- village or commune
- province
- receiving date
- lot or batch number
- quantity received
Maintaining these records supports traceability and makes it easier to investigate quality issues later.
2. Visual inspection
Take a representative sample from the lot and examine the general condition of the nuts.
Look for:
- mature and well-developed nuts
- appropriate dryness
- reasonably uniform appearance
- visible mold
- insect damage
- excessive empty or immature nuts
- soil, stones, plant material or other foreign matter
Visual inspection is useful as an initial screening step, but it should not replace measurements where objective testing is available.
3. Moisture measurement
Moisture is an important receiving and storage control.
Where possible, use an appropriate moisture meter or an established testing method and record the result for each lot.
If moisture is outside the processor’s acceptance requirement, the lot may need additional drying, further evaluation or rejection depending on its condition.
4. Nut count
Nut count provides a simple indication of raw nut size.
Record:
- sample weight
- number of nuts counted
- calculated nuts per kilogram
A lower number of nuts per kilogram generally indicates larger raw nuts, while a higher count indicates smaller nuts.
Nut size alone, however, should not be treated as a complete measure of quality.
5. Defect inspection
Check the sample for defects such as:
- immature nuts
- empty or void nuts
- insect-damaged nuts
- mold
- rotten or deteriorated nuts
- abnormal kernel condition identified during cutting
- other visible defects
Where practical, record the estimated defect percentage.
6. Cutting Test and KOR
For larger purchases or where a more detailed quality assessment is needed, a cutting test can help evaluate the internal condition of the raw nuts and estimate usable kernel output.
Record the sample size, test result, person conducting the test and date.
The test method should be applied consistently so results from different suppliers or lots can be compared meaningfully.
7. Foreign materials and packaging
Check the lot for foreign materials such as:
- stones
- soil or sand
- leaves and sticks
- plastic
- other waste or contamination
Also inspect the bags and handling condition.
Bags should be clean, dry, identifiable by lot and suitable for storage. Raw nuts should not be kept directly on a wet or dirty floor.
8. Final receiving decision
After completing the inspection, classify the lot according to the processor’s receiving requirements:
ACCEPT — the lot meets the receiving requirements.
ACCEPT WITH CONDITION — corrective action such as additional drying, cleaning or segregation is required.
HOLD — additional testing or evaluation is needed before a decision.
REJECT — the lot does not meet the processor’s minimum receiving requirements.
Record the reason and any corrective action required.
Download the printable checklist
Use the Mato Cashew printable form when receiving and inspecting raw cashew nuts.
English and Khmer are included in one A4 PDF.
Download Raw Cashew Nut Quality Inspection Checklist (PDF)
Good practice
Processors should establish written receiving requirements appropriate to their products, processing capability, buyer specifications and applicable food-safety requirements.
Using the same inspection procedure for every supplier and every lot can improve consistency.
Completed inspection records should also be retained for traceability, supplier evaluation and continuous quality improvement.
Mato Cashew Resources are designed to provide practical information and tools for Cambodia’s cashew value chain.