Beechnut
Beechnuts (in Switzerland: Buchennüsschen ) are the fruits of European beech ( Fagus sylvatica ). The sharp, triangular, egg-shaped, about 1.5 centimeters large nuts of the beech tree sit in pairs in a short-stemmed, soft-tipped, four-lobed, 3 to 7 centimeter long fruit cup (cupula) and are surrounded by a shiny brown shell. The beech tree has a rich fruit curtain every 5 to 8 years.
Beech trees produce beechnuts when they are between 40 and 80 years old. After a hot, dry year, the beechnut harvest is particularly plentiful, with the yields being slightly alternating; H. A rich beechnut year is always followed by a low beech harvest, even if the climatic conditions are good. Beechnuts ripen around September.
The beechnuts are valued by birds and rodents and in the past also played a role in human nutrition. Despite the slight toxicity, oil was pressed from the nuts in oil mills in the 19th century (and in the time of need after the Second World War ) , which was used both in cooking and as lamp oil. In these times the beechnuts, which were also called "beeches" at the time, supplemented the use of the forest for fattening purposes . Beech nuts were also used to make coffee substitutes , similar to acorns .
The lipid content of beechnuts is given as 40.7%, whereby the embryo can contain up to 46% oil . Raw beechnuts contain a lot of oxalic acid . This is another reason why symptoms can occur after consuming large quantities. Their slight toxicity is due to the fact that the raw nuts contain alkaloids and trimethylamine (also called fagin from Latin fagus for beech ).
Excessive consumption of raw beechnuts can lead to symptoms of poisoning due to the active ingredient fagin . However, the toxic substances in the beechnuts can be broken down by roasting . In addition, light roasting improves the flavor of the nuts.
heraldry
As a common figure in coats of arms , the beechnut is called "Buchel" .
Individual evidence
- ^ Heinrich Burckhardt: The forest conditions of the Kingdom of Hanover. 1864, p. 101, limited preview in Google Book search.
- ↑ RBN Prasad, PG Gulz: Composition of lipids of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) seed oil. In: Journal of Nature Research C . 44, 1989, pp. 735-738 ( PDF , free full text).
- ↑ Franklin T. Bonner, William B. Leak: Fagus L. ( Memento from October 25, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) (PDF; 56 kB).
- ^ Wolfgang Franke: Nutzpflanzenkunde. 3rd edition, Thieme, Stuttgart 1985, ISBN 3-13-530403-5 , p. 170.
