Ginkgo trees are also called "Gongsun trees," and their fruit is called ginkgo nut. It's toxic, but can it still be eaten?

The ginkgo tree is a large deciduous tree of the Ginkgoaceae family. It is the old longevity star among trees, growing relatively slowly and living extremely long. Under natural conditions, it takes more than twenty years from planting to fruiting, and only after forty years can it bear fruit in large quantities. Therefore, it is also called the “Gongsun tree”, meaning “the grandfather plants the tree, and the grandson gets the fruit”. So, what is the fruit of the ginkgo tree called? Can it be eaten? Is it toxic?

1. What is the fruit of the ginkgo tree called?

The fruit of the ginkgo tree is called ginkgo fruit, commonly known as ginkgo nut (bai guo). Therefore, the ginkgo tree is also known as the ginkgo nut tree. It generally matures around October, has a long stalk, and the fruit is elliptical, long obovate, ovate, or nearly spherical. The outer seed coat is yellow or orange-yellow, the middle seed coat is white, and the inner seed coat is pale reddish-brown. Inside the fruit there is an embryo.

2. Can the fruit of the ginkgo tree be eaten? Is it toxic?

The fruit of the ginkgo tree can be eaten, but the ginkgo fruit itself is toxic. Its fleshy outer seed coat contains ginkgolic acid, ginkgol and ginkgophenol, and the embryo contains hydrocyanic acid. All of these are toxic. Generally, if an adult eats no more than 10 raw seeds, poisoning will not occur, but for safety, it is better to remove the peel and embryo from the ginkgo fruit and eat it after high-temperature processing. Even when cooked, it should not be eaten in large amounts, and it is best not to exceed 30 seeds.

3. How to eat ginkgo fruit without getting poisoned?

Raw ginkgo fruit is slightly toxic, and improper consumption can cause poisoning. So how should it be eaten to avoid poisoning? Here are several methods for eating ginkgo fruit without getting poisoned.

1. Soak in clean water — steam or roast at high temperature: Soak the ginkgo fruit in clean water for 1 hour. After the flesh on the surface has completely fallen off, wrap it in a wet towel and roast it in a microwave. Once you hear a sizzling sound inside, it is ready, or stir-fry it in a pan until cooked, then remove the shell and eat.

2. Soak in salt water — steam or roast at high temperature: Soak the ginkgo fruit in salt water, then stir-fry it in a pan until cooked, or wrap it in a wet towel and roast it in a microwave until you hear a popping sound.

3. Remove the shell and peel — boil over high heat: After removing the shell from the ginkgo fruit, blanch it in boiling water to remove the inner seed coat. Then add a small amount of rock sugar, an appropriate amount of japonica rice and water, put everything into a pot, and cook over high heat for 20 minutes, until the japonica rice becomes mushy.

4. Stir-fry and mash — boil in water: Stir-fry the ginkgo fruit in a pan, then mash it together with an appropriate amount of flour, eggs and sesame into a paste-like filling for tangyuan, and cook it in boiling water.

4. What should ginkgo fruit not be eaten with?

Ginkgo fruit can be eaten and also used medicinally. It has effects such as benefiting lung qi, treating cough and asthma, stopping abnormal vaginal discharge, reducing urination, smoothing wrinkles, protecting blood vessels, and increasing blood flow. However, ginkgo fruit cannot be combined with just anything. So what should ginkgo fruit not be eaten with?

1. It should not be eaten with eel, as it may cause a disease called ruanfeng.

2. It should not be eaten with carrots. Carrots are rich in differentiating enzymes, and eating them with ginkgo fruit may reduce the medicinal effect.

3. It should not be eaten with beer. Alcohol may react with ginkgo fruit; in mild cases it causes gastrointestinal discomfort, and in severe cases it may endanger life and health.

4. It should not be eaten with aspirin, as it may prolong the patient's clotting time, leading to continuous bleeding.

5. Who should not eat ginkgo fruit?

People with allergies, children and pregnant women should not eat ginkgo fruit. Children are prone to poisoning if they eat it, and the younger the child, the more likely and more severe the poisoning. Pregnant women eating it will have a certain effect on the fetus. People with allergies will develop small bumps on the skin after eating it. Patients who have just undergone surgery and women during menstruation should also not eat it.

Summary: The fruit of the ginkgo tree is called ginkgo fruit, also known as ginkgo nut. It can be eaten, but it is toxic, and people are prone to poisoning after eating it. Therefore, it is better to remove the peel and embryo and eat it after high-temperature processing. Pay attention to the dietary contraindications of ginkgo fruit.