Cashew Grades Explained: W180 vs W240 vs W320 – What Does It Mean?

Most Indians buy cashews without knowing that the grade system determines the size, quality and price of every pack they purchase. Understanding cashew grades allows you to make informed buying decisions and understand exactly why premium grades cost more — and whether that premium is worth it for your use case.

What Does the 'W' Number Mean in Cashew Grading?

The 'W' stands for 'Whole' and the number refers to the count of whole cashew kernels per pound (approximately 454g). A lower number means fewer, larger cashews per pound — which means each individual cashew is bigger and heavier. A higher number means more, smaller cashews per pound.

So: W180 = fewer pieces, much larger size | W240 = fewer pieces, large size | W320 = more pieces, medium-large size

W180 – Jumbo Extra Large (The King of Cashew Grades)

Count: Only 180 whole cashews per pound.
Size: Each cashew is nearly twice the size of a W320. Visually dramatic and impressive.
Texture: Maximum creaminess per piece. The most butter-like, melt-in-mouth cashew experience possible.
Quality: Zero splits or broken pieces. Every single nut is a perfect whole cashew.
Used By: Premium chocolatiers, luxury gifting brands, five-star hotel kitchens, corporate gift box assemblers.
Best For: Luxury gift hampers, gourmet cooking, premium snacking for serious cashew connoisseurs, impressive party serving.
Price: Most expensive. Giriwala W180: ₹389 for 250g.

W240 – Large Premium (The Gifting Standard)

Count: 240 whole cashews per pound.
Size: Noticeably larger than W320 — each cashew is visibly bigger and heavier per piece.
Texture: More buttery per bite than W320. Better mouthfeel and more satisfying eating experience.
Used By: Premium gift hamper brands, five-star restaurant kitchens (curries, garnishes), quality-conscious households.
Best For: Premium daily snacking, kaju katli and Indian sweets (holds shape better), gift hampers where you want the cashews to look impressive, cooking gravies and korma.
Price: Mid-premium. Giriwala W240: ₹349 for 250g, ₹1,249 for 1 Kg.

W320 – The Sweet Spot (India's Most Popular Grade)

Count: 320 whole cashews per pound.
Size: Medium-large. The most widely used grade globally.
Texture: Excellent flavour-to-size ratio — the right balance of cashew fat to flesh for snacking.
Used By: Most Indian households, restaurants, food manufacturers, caterers.
Best For: Daily snacking, everyday cooking, budget-conscious buyers who still want genuine whole cashews (not splits or pieces), roasted and salted cashews.
Price: Most accessible. Giriwala W320: ₹289 for 250g.

Quick Comparison Table

What to Avoid When Buying Cashews

• Split pieces mixed with whole grade: Many brands label packs as W320 but include split halves and broken pieces to reduce cost. Splits are graded separately (S or SP grades) and are cheaper. Always verify you are getting genuine whole cashews.
• No grade mentioned: Any brand that does not disclose the cashew grade is almost certainly selling a lower grade at a higher-grade price.
• Artificially whitened cashews: Natural cashews are ivory-white. Extremely bright white cashews may have been chemically bleached.

All Giriwala cashews are single-grade verified, 100% whole kernel, naturally processed. Browse our full cashew range at giriwala.com.