Wild About Acorns!

[4suchatimeasthis]

Here is an interesting article (http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/clay79.html) about uses of acorns

I have also read their oil can be used as a bio-diesel fuel, that the oil also can be used for eating and tastes very similar to olive oil. Once the nuts are leeched they can be made into meal or flour for baking, and most interesting of all,


Acorns have been tested and found to be possibly the best food for effectively controlling blood sugar levels. They have a low sugar content, but leave a sweetish aftertaste, making them very good in stews, as well as in breads of all types.

So, if you have Oak tree's......it's a thought.

[Sniper-T]

been meaning to try this forever... just can never seem to get the time:

http://honest-food.net/2010/01/14/acorn-pasta-and-the-mechanics-of-eating-acorns/

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Another article:

http://zinelibrary.info/files/Hatch%20Acorn%20Ind.%20study.pdf

[4suchatimeasthis]

Yeah, I have wondered 1) how difficult it would really be to home process into oil/flour, and 2) if it tastes half way decent. If so....wow, talk about an amazing natural resource!

[piranha2]

I have tried eating them over the years, from time to time, but I guess you have to pick the right oak tree.

[Sniper-T]

as a ki my mom used to banch them, and we'd roast them in a fire. they tasted kinda like bland hazelnuts. ut I think that was more from the blanching than anything. I think a soak in a seasoning, or a brine after blanching would help tremendously

[4suchatimeasthis]

Yeah, P2, apparently you need to leech them in water to get rid of that nasty taste. I read that cold-water leeching causes the acorns to not thicken while cooking, while hot-water leeching does not. Here (http://www.eattheweeds.com/nuts-for-acorns/)is some info on that.

[vukic]

How would you.obtain the oil from.them??

[Stormfeather]

How would you.obtain the oil from.them??

good question, Im trying my google fu right now to try and find out, but not getting too lucky

[Xzaniel]

I just googled "acorn processing for oil" and the first link http://sierralivingskills.com/?p=124 had a press

[Xzaniel]

From a recent reading "white oak acorns usually have a better flavor than red oak acorns" "soak in water for 1 to 2 days to remove the bitter substance" "caution: tannic acid gives the acorns their bitter taste. Eating excessive amount of acorns high in tannic acid can lead to kidney failure. Before eating acorns, leach out this chemical"

From iPhone app Survival pocket ref by double dog studios

I've also liked reading Wild man Steve Brill at www.wildmanstevebrill.com real good foraging info

[Grumpy Old Man]

Save the water from leeching acorns for a tanning solution. They are somewhat bland but are a good source of protein. To get the oil, grind and press them as you would any other seed. BTW, Oak bark also makes a good tanning solution.