Cashew kernels come in a variety of sizes and types, each tailored to specific food manufacturing needs. While premium whole and large broken grades are often used in retail and gifting, smaller segments like PCS (6-piece cashews) cater to industrial kitchens and food processors focused on high-volume, cost-effective production.
PCS — short for “Pieces” — refers to cashew kernels that are smaller than the 4-piece grade (SK) and larger than 8-piece or Baby Bits (BB). Also known as 6-piece cashew or simply mid-sized splits, this grade offers a balance of size and surface area, making it a functional ingredient in sweet, savory, and processed food applications.
What Are PCS Cashew Kernels?
PCS (6-piece) cashews are broken kernels derived during the processing of whole cashew nuts. These kernels typically break into six approximately equal pieces per whole kernel, which is where the grade gets its name. They are white in color and may appear slightly scorched or wrinkled depending on the heat exposure during drying.
Despite their size, PCS kernels maintain the same nutritional value, fat content, and natural flavor as larger cashew grades. They are ideal for applications where the look of the kernel is not as important as the consistency and taste — such as mass-produced sweets, biscuits, granola, nut bars, fillings, and savory mixtures.
Why B2B Buyers Use PCS Cashews in Bulk
PCS is not a retail-facing or high-visibility grade — it’s an ingredient-grade cashew kernel that delivers on functionality. This makes it a smart choice for food brands that want to maintain product quality while keeping input costs in check.
PCS cashew kernels are widely used in:
- Commercial biscuit and cookie manufacturing
- Namkeen blends and dry snack mixes
- Granola and cereal bars
- Low-cost sweets and desserts
- Ready-to-cook meal kits
- Cashew paste and fillings
Because PCS kernels are consistent in size, they blend well in machines, offer fast prep time, and help standardize flavor and texture across batches.
Grading Overview: Where PCS Fits Among Cashew Pieces
In the broken cashew family, PCS fits between the slightly larger SK grade (4-piece) and the finer BB (Baby Bits). Here’s a size-based context:
| Cashew Grade | Approximate Size | Common Name |
| SK | 4 pieces | 4-piece |
| PCS | 6 pieces | 6-piece |
| BB | 8+ pieces | Baby Bits |
This mid-range sizing makes PCS kernels particularly versatile — large enough to be seen in texture-heavy applications like nut bars and cookies, yet small enough to grind or blend into pastes or fillings.
Industries That Prefer PCS Cashew Kernels
Across India, food manufacturers rely on PCS cashew kernels in sectors where large volumes and low margins demand cost-effective ingredients that don’t compromise on performance.
- Bakeries and Biscuit Makers
PCS cashews are crushed and mixed into doughs and batters for biscuits, cookies, cakes, and muffins. Their size ensures even distribution, and they toast well during baking, enhancing texture. - Namkeen & Snack Brands
In roasted masala blends, trail mixes, or dry snacks, PCS kernels provide a pleasant crunch and nutty flavor without increasing cost per unit. Their size allows for good masala adhesion. - Halwais and Sweets Manufacturers
PCS is ideal for sweets where cashew is used as a binding or flavor agent — such as in kaju barfi, peda, or dry-fruit laddoos. Whether crushed, roasted, or ground, PCS delivers rich taste. - Cereal & Granola Brands
For healthy bars or cereals, PCS offers bite-sized consistency that pairs well with oats, raisins, and seeds — giving both nutrition and texture. - Cashew Paste & Filling Makers
PCS kernels blend smoothly into paste or fillings used in confectionery, ice cream, and bakery items. They deliver good yield and texture without needing extra refining.
Advantages of Using PCS (6-Piece) Cashews
Choosing PCS over larger or finer grades allows manufacturers to optimize ingredient costs without compromising on taste, texture, or nutritional value. Some key advantages include:
- Balanced Size: Not too big to dominate the mix, not too small to lose texture.
- Cost Efficiency: Lower price point compared to whole kernels or large brokens.
- Machine-Friendly: Easy to grind, blend, or mix with minimal preparation.
- Consistent Quality: At Kamla Cashew, PCS is sorted for size, color, and hygiene.
- Great Absorption: Absorbs flavors, spices, and moisture well during cooking or roasting.
How PCS Cashew Kernels Are Processed
PCS cashews are generated during the cutting and grading process. After shelling and drying, cashew kernels go through size-based grading, where broken pieces are sorted by shape and dimension.
Here’s how PCS kernels are typically obtained:
- Post-Roasting Breakage: Some whole kernels break naturally due to handling and drying.
- Mechanical Sorting: Workers or machines separate pieces by size.
- PCS Identification: Kernels fitting the “6-piece” size bracket are grouped under PCS.
- Surface Inspection: Any kernels with mold, deep discoloration, or oil leakage are removed.
- Packing: The sorted kernels are hygienically packed in 10kg buckets or custom bulk packaging for B2B buyers.
How to Use PCS Cashew Kernels in Production
Here’s a step-by-step overview for integrating PCS kernels into your production flow:
- Assess Your Application Needs
Are you blending, roasting, or grinding?
Do you need texture or paste? - Place Your Bulk Order
Get your grade and quantity confirmed from Kamla Cashew.
Choose standard 10kg buckets or customized packaging options. - Storage & Handling
Store in a cool, dry area in sealed containers.
Avoid moisture exposure for optimal shelf life (up to 6 months from packing). - Use in Production
Add directly into mixes, doughs, or fillings.
Roast or blend as required. PCS kernels work well in both dry and moist recipes. - Monitor Batch Consistency
Thanks to uniform sizing, you can scale recipes easily.
Why Buy PCS from Kamla Cashew
At Kamla Cashew, PCS cashew kernels are sorted, cleaned, and packed under strict quality guidelines to ensure that every B2B buyer receives consistent output. We serve pan-India with fast delivery, and we understand the value of supply predictability and product uniformity for production-focused clients.
Here’s what you get:
- Bulk order support with quick quotes
- Consistent grade quality with minimal size variation
- Packaging options suited for industrial kitchens
- Transparent communication and direct support
Our focus is always on enabling your production to run smoother, more affordably, and without ingredient variability.
Explore More
- BB – Baby Bits Cashew Blog for buyers seeking finer kernels
- SK – 4-Piece Cashew Blog for slightly larger broken options
- Broken Cashew Kernels Overview for a category-level view
- Kamla Cashew Quality Control Standards for transparency on sorting processes
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’S)
PCS cashew kernels are typically used in bakery items, sweets, namkeens, granola bars, and industrial food preparations where the cashew will be blended or cooked.
Yes, PCS kernels are fully edible and go through safety and hygiene checks during processing. They offer the same taste and nutritional profile as whole kernels.
Absolutely. PCS cashew kernels roast well and absorb masala or seasoning uniformly, making them ideal for spiced snack mixes.
Store them in a cool, dry place in airtight containers or sealed buckets. They have a shelf life of up to 6 months from the packing date.
Kamla Cashew supplies PCS kernels in standard 10kg buckets. Custom packaging can also be discussed based on order size.
