Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84 exptools; site ho95e.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!houxm!ho95e!ran
From: ran@ho95e.UUCP (RANeinast)
Newsgroups: net.cooks
Subject: Re: Acorn recipes
Message-ID: <241@ho95e.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 6-Nov-85 08:37:50 EST
Article-I.D.: ho95e.241
Posted: Wed Nov  6 08:37:50 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 7-Nov-85 06:04:40 EST
References: <1229@decwrl.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ
Lines: 43

> 
> 
> Are acorns, in any form, edible? Squirrels and chipmunks eat them, but 
> can humans? Are there any culinary treats containing acorns?
> 
> 			/harry hersh/



Yes, acorns are edible, but you need the right species.
There are white oaks and red oaks; the white oak acorns are sweet
(edible) and the red oak acorns are bitter (really awful).

In general, white oaks have leaves with rounded tips, and red oaks
have pointed tips.  Also, if you open the acorn, the red oak acorn
generally has a layer of light fuzz near the shell.  Finally,
white oaks drop acorns every year, red oaks every two years.
Supposedly the best species are the White Oak and the Chestnut Oak.

One of the Foxfire books (I'm pretty sure it's number 3) has an article
on edible nuts of all kinds, and talks about acorns and acorn flour and bread.

By the way, I collected a bunch of acorns about a month ago
(could only get red oak--the chestnut oak acorns had all *sprouted*)
and tried boiling them to leach out the tannin.  The water gets
very brown, and you have to keep changing it until it stays clear.
The house smelled absolutely wonderful the entire time.  However,
the nuts (red oak, remember) never ended up tasting very good.
Next year, I'll catch the chestnut acorns (not to be confused with chestnuts)
before they sprout.

Interesting sidenote:  Remember how in Grade School, you were told
that the tip of your tongue tastes sweet, and the sides near the rear
do bitter?  Well, it sure is true, and you can test it with a red oak
acorn (raw).  Nibble on it (a tiny piece is enough), and while it's up
near your teeth it tastes just fine.  Then let it drift to the back and
side--WOW!, now you really know bitter.

-- 

". . . and shun the frumious Bandersnatch."
Robert Neinast (ihnp4!ho95c!ran)
AT&T-Bell Labs