Beechnuts contain, in addition to many he althy minerals and vitamins, the toxic substances: fagin, hydrogen cyanide and oxalic acid. You should therefore only enjoy them raw in small quantities. Otherwise there is a risk of severe symptoms. By roasting or scalding with water you neutralize the toxins.
Are beechnuts poisonous and how can you enjoy them?
Beechnuts contain toxic substances such as fagin, hydrogen cyanide and oxalic acid and should therefore only be consumed raw in small quantities. Detoxification can be achieved by roasting the beechnuts, scalding them or using them as flour in cakes.
If possible, avoid eating beechnuts raw
Every five to eight years you will find a large number of beechnuts while walking in the forest under the beeches. You should be careful when consuming.
Beechnuts contain fagin, oxalic acid and small amounts of hydrogen cyanide. High consumption of these substances leads to severe symptoms of poisoning in some people.
Most people can tolerate a few raw beechnuts without any problems. However, larger quantities should only be eaten roasted or scalded.
No raw beechnuts for small children
Small children are more likely to be harmed by eating raw beechnuts than adults. Parents should therefore make sure that their little ones do not collect beechnuts in the forest.
The warning also applies to dogs. When walking in the forest, dog owners have to be careful that their four-legged friend doesn't crack open any beechnuts.
Making beechnuts edible
Beechnuts can be “detoxified” using the following methods:
- Roasting
- Browding
- bake as flour in cakes
So that you can eat beechnuts without worry, roast or scald the seeds. The heat breaks down hydrogen cyanide and fagin and no longer causes any damage.
To do this, remove the seeds from the shell and let them roast in a fat-free pan.
The roasting process gives the fruits an even better aroma.
Tips & Tricks
Peeling beechnuts is not that easy because of the hard shell. Scald the fruit with hot water. Then the peel can be removed more easily and you can use the heat to remove all toxins at the same time.