How to Harvest Gingko Nuts
The ginkgo nut is said to be very healthy, stimulating the brain and preventing degenerative brain diseases like Alzheimer's. The leaves of the ginkgo tree are fan-shaped and the fruits of the plant are plum-shaped and said to smell badly. Considered a living fossil, they have thrived for thousands of years just like they are today. Plant ginkgo trees in a well-drained location where they can reach their mature height of 50 to 80 feet. Harvesting the ginkgo nuts requires hand protection and the ability to deal with their strong odor, but is worth it if you like their taste. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Look for a ginkgo tree with leaves that are starting to turn; its seeds will be ready for harvesting.
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Pull fruit directly off the tree or wait for fruit that has fallen and is starting to wrinkle and dry up for the season. It will emit a very foul odor when it starts to decompose, letting you know that the fruit is ready to come off and the seed ready to harvest. Although the fruit can be picked from the tree, it's much easier to harvest them once they've fallen.
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Wear rubber or latex gloves before handling the fruits. The seeds contain urushiol,
or YOU-rue-SHE-all, the same chemical contained in poison ivy, oak and sumac.
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Remove the nuts from the fruit by squeezing them out of the fruit and into a bucket of cold water to avoid any urushiol contamination. Cold water is generally less than 70 F.
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Steam the seeds until the hard shell cracks open. The kernel can then be removed and eaten.
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Tips & Warnings
A chemical in ginkgo nuts called MPN, or 4-O-Methylpyridoxine, has been attributed to food poisoning in some children in Japan who eat a lot of ginkgo nuts. Children under age 6 should not consume the nuts.
References
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