Monkey trees, also known as Andean fir or araucaria, are particularly known for their unusual growth habit and, thanks to their robustness, are popular conifers in front gardens. But what hardly anyone knows: the seeds of the monkey tree are edible! In South America, more precisely in Chile, home of the monkey tree, they are a sought-after delicacy called “pinoches”.
Are the fruits of the monkey tree edible?
The seeds of the monkey tree are edible and nutrient-rich, containing a lot of oil and protein. They can be cooked like potatoes or eaten fresh, with a roasted taste reminiscent of chestnuts.
Can you eat the fruits of the monkey tree?
The fruits of the monkey tree are its spherical, green-brown cones. They contain three to five centimeter long seeds that are actuallyedible. They contain a lot of oil and protein, making them a very nutritious source of energy. The seeds are ripe as soon as the cone falls from the tree. When they hit the ground, the seeds usually come loose from the cone and can then be processed.
What do the fruits of the monkey tree taste like?
The seeds of the monkey tree can be cooked similarly toPotatoesand the taste is also comparable. But they can also be eaten fresh. The hard, inedible shell of the seeds is particularly easy to remove if you roast them in a pan. Roasted, the taste is reminiscent ofchestnuts
Tip
Not every monkey tree produces seeds
It takes at least 30 years for a monkey tree to bloom. Only the cones of female trees contain seeds.
