I actually do eat chestnuts this time of year, and I looked this story up when my son asked where they came from and why he'd never seen a chestnut tree. I knew someone was working on bringing them back, and I am glad to have the link to the foundation, thanks!
As a west coast kid I ain’t never seen or ate a chestnut. There are some of what folks call horse chestnuts along some streets here in town, but I understand that they are an entirely different thing. Growing up in California we had California Black Walnuts, which so far as I could tell were mostly for supplying some of the the bigger kids with all the throwing ammunition they needed against us younger kids.
Weird, I grew up with chesnut trees all over my neighborhood in portland, they're still there. Glad the blight never made it west since they made great weapons as kids. spiky green munitions to go along with walnuts and the grenades left on magnolia trees
I’ve tried a few foraged foods. Sometimes there’s a good space between “edible” and “good.” Not edible could be not edible for any number of reasons from indigestible to poisonous. I’m glad I never tried one.
Thanks for this, Dr.Sarah Taber. Fascinating stuff ! An old, old house I've often been in , just above the Maryland/PA line, is built entirely of "wormy" chestnut. The inside woodworking & trim is truly breathtaking. Mamma always admired it so much that when we visited, she often lost the thread of the conversation cause she'd be too busy reverently stroking a banister, or some such. *grin* We were always admonished that "They don't build 'em like that anymore bc there isn't any more of that wood." I never realized how accurate that was, until now. :{It would be so great if the chestnut (and many more of our native flora ) could be brought back & re-introduced into the biosphere. . Hurrah for science in general, and crop scientists in particular. :).
Anyone know why (a) European chestnuts didn’t get affected (they are all over the place here in Germany), and (ii) why nobody tried to transfer the species over to fill the niche? And yep I know the difference between horse chestnuts and edible ones; both grow wild around here.
Believe they are not poisonous, just bitter and unpalatable. I think they can be treated to be made edible, with soaking and rinsing, but not worth the effort.
EDIT: the Google says they ARE toxic, so definitely don’t listen to me.
Are there sexy parts involving tree nuts?
I actually do eat chestnuts this time of year, and I looked this story up when my son asked where they came from and why he'd never seen a chestnut tree. I knew someone was working on bringing them back, and I am glad to have the link to the foundation, thanks!
Many thanks!
As a west coast kid I ain’t never seen or ate a chestnut. There are some of what folks call horse chestnuts along some streets here in town, but I understand that they are an entirely different thing. Growing up in California we had California Black Walnuts, which so far as I could tell were mostly for supplying some of the the bigger kids with all the throwing ammunition they needed against us younger kids.
Weird, I grew up with chesnut trees all over my neighborhood in portland, they're still there. Glad the blight never made it west since they made great weapons as kids. spiky green munitions to go along with walnuts and the grenades left on magnolia trees
Those would be horse chestnuts. Different species, good ammo, not good food. They grow in my old hometown, too.
Yeah, horse chestnuts are not edible.
The ones you eat are imported Italian chestnuts.
I’ve tried a few foraged foods. Sometimes there’s a good space between “edible” and “good.” Not edible could be not edible for any number of reasons from indigestible to poisonous. I’m glad I never tried one.
Thanks, this has always puzzled me
Thanks for this, Dr.Sarah Taber. Fascinating stuff ! An old, old house I've often been in , just above the Maryland/PA line, is built entirely of "wormy" chestnut. The inside woodworking & trim is truly breathtaking. Mamma always admired it so much that when we visited, she often lost the thread of the conversation cause she'd be too busy reverently stroking a banister, or some such. *grin* We were always admonished that "They don't build 'em like that anymore bc there isn't any more of that wood." I never realized how accurate that was, until now. :{It would be so great if the chestnut (and many more of our native flora ) could be brought back & re-introduced into the biosphere. . Hurrah for science in general, and crop scientists in particular. :).
Amazing book. Thought of it immediately when I read this article.
Yup, probably. Chestnut production is big business in Italy.
Foreplay?
Anyone know why (a) European chestnuts didn’t get affected (they are all over the place here in Germany), and (ii) why nobody tried to transfer the species over to fill the niche? And yep I know the difference between horse chestnuts and edible ones; both grow wild around here.
Believe they are not poisonous, just bitter and unpalatable. I think they can be treated to be made edible, with soaking and rinsing, but not worth the effort.
EDIT: the Google says they ARE toxic, so definitely don’t listen to me.