acorns

[tartanwiz]

Apparently they are edible, so why don't we eat them? People made coffee out of them during the war and Iron Age people included them in their diet. Why don't we eat them today?

[zgma]

I remember reading that they are bitter... or maybe it's just one of those cultural things, like eating bugs or lobster - some cultures do and some don't.  I bet there are some (Native American, maybe?) cultures that do have acorns as part of the traditional diet.

[archbishop]

And if we ate them what would the Squirrels eat?

[New Forester]

I believe acorns are toxic to humans, as they are to cattle and horses (but not pigs).  They may be edible after some kind of treatment -- a great deal of soaking rings some kind of bell, and perhaps roasting and grinding.

 

Oak poisoning in animals is quite gradual -- they can tolerate quite a bit of it (acorns or leaves), then they eat too much, use up their tolerance and become ill.

 

There are quite a few human foods which are toxic without treatment.  For example cassava (tapioca) is full of cyanide when fresh.

 

[thewillow]

Yes, some of the best ham is obtained from pigs who eat acorns exclusively.

[archbishop]

Also Oak trees don't produce acorns until they are at least 20 years old.

[???*????????]

i love acorns they are my very favourite! but then again im ginger and live in a old oak tree and my best friend is a very wise owl called Charles! x

[Richard Head]

We don't eat them because Tesco's don't stock them.