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eating acorns

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GlisGlis:
acorns time
I'd like to try to eat some  -C-
already collected, shelled and put in water
currently they taste really bitter
seems to me that all the leaching thing will greatly reduce not only tannins but also the nutrient compounds
still unsure if is better the cold or hot water leaching
I've read quite alot online but i'd prefere some first hand experience

wstanley:
Never done it but have spoken to many Mono elders on the topic (California Sierra Mountain/Foothill tribe) and the leaching is essential as well as very time consuming. I was under the impression the acorn needs to thoroughly dried first. Never heard of it processed green? Perhaps you can? Don't know.

As far as water temperature I have read both hot and cold were used. First starting off with cold and then hot was another combination.

You have probably read it but there are 2-3 pages explaining the process in Barrett and Giffords (1933) book on the Sierra Miwok. I think Alfred Kroeber's book "Handbook of the California Indians" probably has multiple description from many California Tribes.

Good luck! What species of oak are you getting the acorns from?

I had some a while ago with chile verde mixed in. MMMMMMM yummy.

YosemiteBen would be a good reference to ask.

GlisGlis:
thankyou wstanley
acorns are from quercus robur. (european oak?)
after writing i grinded them to a coarse size and kept on with the leaching process with cold water
today (3rd day in water, many water changes later ) the bitter taste is still there but definitly not as before
I could eat the sample while couple of day ago I had to spit it
couple more days and they could be grinded into flour I think
it's a long process for sure if you're hungry

from what I've read drying is not mandatory. it helps in shelling and grinding

Will Tell:
I've always heard white acorns are less acidic than the rest.

Hawkdancer:
My guess is that the people using acorns probably did rather large batches and kept several batches in progress, possibly as insurance against winter/spring hunger times.  Never tried them myself.
Hawkdancer

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