"Sometimes You Feel Like a Nut" Quiz

Answer: Almost any nut can cause an allergic reaction

Depending on the person or animal ingesting the 'nut', and the tolerance to any toxin present, the shelling or preparatory process, the presence of mold, and many other factors, almost any type of nut can cause illness, digestive problems, symptoms and possible toxicity. Some nut shells contain toxins, like cashews, for instance. They are not sold in the shell because it contains urushiol which can cause painful sores and rashes. The cashew is in the same family (Anacardiaceae) as poison ivy, pistachio plants and mangoes. The sticky urushiol is generally roasted off and used to make varnish.

Dogs, in particular, are very sensitive to the effects of some types of nuts and seeds, so do not allow them to have any, just in case. Nuts and seeds, as food, are among the most common cause of allergic reactions in humans and some other animals.

Answer: Brazil nut

One of the toughest shells is on the Brazil nut; it is very dark, grainy and thick and referred to as a 'capsule'. The flesh of this nut is a smooth white and it has a mild uncommon taste, which is preferred by some and spurned by others. Like cashews, you either like them or you don't.

Peanuts have a pliable soft shell. Walnuts have a hard but seamed shell and usually require a nutcracker for easy opening. Chestnuts are usually roasted and it's quite easy to peel off their shell.

Answer: Filbert

Hazelnuts are easily recognisible by their warm brown color and one lighter circular rough spot opposite the slightly tapering end. They are no larger than almonds, and tend to be rounded and smooth shelled. Hazelnut has become a popular flavoring for coffee and pastries as it has a mild buttery flavor.

Answer: Horse chestnut

Horse chestnuts and water chestnuts belong to an entirely different species than the common chestnut. The former contain the toxic glucoside aesculin.

Chestnuts are almost always cooked, boiled, roasted or treated more as a starchy vegetable than a true nut. The raw chestnut has high levels of tannin and can cause indigestion, stomach problems, and even liver and/or kidney damage in some cases.

In winter, you can usually find roasted chestnuts sold in small bags. The shell has cracked enough from the roasting to allow it to be peeled off so you can eat the meat inside. Chestnuts have a distinctive shiny medium to dark brown shell and one flat side. They are also used as an addition to stuffing and many other dishes, and have a warm chewy texture. As with many soft fruits and nuts, if you buy chestnuts raw, check them for mold. If there's one bluish chestnut there may be mold spores on others as well.

Answer: Peaches, plums, cherries

Though very different in appearance, both nuts come from drupe fruits, which generally have a thin peel, fleshy fruit and a center stone or seed with a hard covering (plums, peaches, cherries, etc.). Pistachios also belong to this category. Almonds are distinctive in having a speckled shell, usually light colored. Inside, the seed is covered by a brown thin skin which is easily removed by soaking in warm water. Almonds are very popular and are usually used to enhance vegetable dishes such as green beans and asparagus, or in desserts, as either whole, sliced or crushed nuts. Almond paste can be made into marzipan, a delicious and versatile paste used in many cultures for holiday decor and treats.

Pecans are popular in the American south baked in pies and used as adornments for cakes. These resemble walnuts slightly, but have a smooth shell rather than a rough one.

Answer: Pinon nuts

Pinons are very small, and resemble sunflower seeds in shape and color. They add a tasty crunch to many dishes such as chipotle chicken and are used extensively in the southwestern US, where they are more readily available than elsewhere. They tend to be rather pricey, but many health food stores sell them in dispensers where you may buy as much or as little as you need.

Gevuina is a Chilean hazelnut.
Both candlenuts and mongongos are used for making oil, the latter specifically for a hair pomade. Mongongos are also a staple in the diets of some indigenous tribes in southern Africa.

Answer: Serum cholesterol concentrations

The omega 3 fatty acids in seeds and nuts have been found to be at least partly responsible for lowering of harmful cholesterol. Nuts are also believed to be beneficial for diabetes mellitus type 2 patients who may have insulin resistance problems.

It is generally thought that people who regularly include raw nuts in their regimen have a slightly longer life expectancy. Of course, this includes many other factors, genetic endowment, other foods eaten regularly, and lifestyle. Nutty eaters are usually not big fans of junk foods, which may be a huge contributing factor. Or not.

Answer: Vitamins B2 and E, magnesium, potassium and copper

Nuts also contain linoleic acids, and most of the fats found in nuts are unsaturated. They are rich in protein, fiber, selenium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and copper. Nuts are healthiest in raw form while they still contain their essential oils.

Some nuts, such as walnuts, usually have twice the amount of antioxidants if unroasted, but even too much of a good thing might not be beneficial, and antioxidants in moderation is fine, but in excess have been shown to be harmful in some cases.

Answer: True

Native Americans discovered that repeated soaking of acorns released the high tannin content and bitter flavor. A more modern method is to place the acorns in a nylon bag or stocking and hang it inside the toilet tank*. Each time the toilet is flushed more tannin is released, and the brown color from this will gradually get lighter. When it has become clear, the acorn can be roasted for about an hour at 350 degrees.

After this the acorns may be eaten whole or ground into meal and used to make bread or porridge. Black and red oak acorns are more bitter than white oak acorns, and the white ones do not require the soaking treatment.

(*Mind you: the tank, not the bowl!)

Answer: True

Macadamia nuts grow on a lovely tree which has spiky sharp leaves. They are now grown in Hawaii and other tropical climes. I planted one about ten inches tall in Florida, and by the 4th year had a twelve foot high tree with glossy leaves and abundant nuts. Unfortunately, those had disappeared by the time I came home from work one day. They have a very high fat content and are one of the nuts that must be kept away from our canine friends, as they can cause pancreatitis. They may also contain an unidentified toxin.

Other nuts to be kept from Rover are: Almonds, black walnuts, English walnuts, Hickory nuts, Pistachio nuts, pecans and Japanese walnuts. All of these can cause gastrointestinal problems and some may also cause neurological symptoms.