CNSL is a reddish brown viscous liquid extracted from a soft honeycomb structure inside the cashew nutshell.
CNSL contains mainly anacardic acid and a smaller amount of cardol and its methyl derivatives. CNSL can be decarboxylated and distilled to yield high purity cardanol, a highly desirable alkylphenolic compounds.
| Property | Unit | Value |
| Apprearence | Liquid | Black |
| Density | g/ml | 0.95-0.96 |
| Viscosity at 25°C | mpa.s | 140-160 |
| Iodine | g/100g | 250 |
| PH Value | MgKOH/g | 6.9-7.2 |
| Cardanol | % | ≥75 |
| Moisture | %(m/m) | ≤0.40 |
| Ash | %(m/m) | ≤0.20 |