this post was submitted on 04 Nov 2024
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There are lots of wild foods that are poisonous, but that didn't stop our ancestors from figuring out ways to make them edible. In the case of bitter almonds I can find a reference to baking and boiling being effective methods of reducing cyanide content. Cold leaching might also work but it would take a lot more time.
I have to imagine that dire necessity was a catalyst for these discoveries. I'm guessing the thought process was more like "These are bitter as shit and they killed Bill, but we're gonna starve to death if we don't find some food, so let me try boiling these to see if the bitter goes away."
Boiling also works to make acorns ~~edible~~ ~~consumable~~ less lethal. They still taste kinda bad though.
where'd you get them being lethal? far as i'm aware they're just a real bother for your stomach with all the tannins, but not outright lethal. People have made quite a lot of acorn bread in tough times after all
It's hyperbole. I don't think you can die from consuming them (don't quote me on that, guess it depends on dosage).
I would think you get a bad tummy ache when eating them raw and maybe liver damage and/or a nutritional deficiency long-term.
Bread might get hot enough to break down the tannins. I just always thought beechnuts taste better ;)
Additionally, cyanide toxicity is mostly something that happens over time. Unproccesed Cassava will kill you, but not after the first meal.