Can chestnuts still be eaten after worms appear? Pest prevention, storage, and food combination taboos

Chestnut, also known as mao li or feng li, is a fairly common nut in China. It usually comes onto the market around the Mid-Autumn Festival, and is widely loved for its sweet flavor and rich nutritional value. However, because it does not store well, it easily becomes moldy, sprouts, or gets infested with insects. So can you still eat chestnuts that have bugs in them? How should they be stored so they do not get bugs? What should they not be eaten with?

1. Can you still eat chestnuts that have bugs in them?

In general, chestnuts with only a small area affected by bugs can be eaten; simply discard the bug-infested part and they are fine to eat. But in most cases, chestnuts that have been infested by insects will rot, so it is best not to eat them. Even if you do eat them, though, it is not a problem and will not have any effect on your body.

2. How should chestnuts be stored so they do not get bugs?

1. Air-drying method: Soak the chestnuts in cold water for about 10 days, then scoop them out, put them in a basket, and hang it in a cool, ventilated place to let them air-dry naturally. This way they can be stored for a long time and are not prone to getting bugs.

2. Sealed method: Put the chestnuts in a plastic bag and seal it, then store it in a cool, ventilated place. Chestnuts stored this way can keep for about half a month and are not prone to getting bugs.

3. Refrigeration method: Put shelled chestnuts in a freshness bag and seal it, then place it in the refrigerator's cold storage compartment. Chestnuts stored this way can keep for about two months, with no change in taste and little tendency to get bugs.

4. Spread-out airing method: Put the chestnuts in a ventilated, cool place, then spread them out to air-dry naturally. Chestnuts stored this way can keep for about two months without spoiling and are not prone to getting bugs.

5. Sand storage method: Put the chestnuts in a container, then use yellow sand to separate and store them; if you do not want the chestnuts to dry out, simply spray a small amount of water. Chestnuts stored this way are not only unlikely to get bugs but also will not rot, and if stored properly they will be just like fresh chestnuts.

6. Sawdust method: Put the chestnuts in a container, then mix them with sawdust and place them in a cool, ventilated place. Chestnuts stored this way can keep for about 2 months and are not prone to getting bugs, but if left too long they tend to dry out, so try to finish them within 2 months.

3. What should chestnuts not be eaten with?

1. Chestnuts should not be eaten with beef: Chestnuts are rich in vitamin C, and beef contains various trace elements. If the two are eaten together, they will produce indigestible precipitates, thereby destroying the nutritional value of chestnuts and making them lose their food value.

2. Chestnuts should not be eaten with duck meat: Eating chestnuts and duck meat together can cause poisoning symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and dizziness.

3. Chestnuts should not be eaten with mutton: Chestnuts and mutton are both warming, tonic foods. If the two are eaten together, they can cause indigestion, internal heat, vomiting, and similar symptoms.

4. Chestnuts should not be eaten with almonds: Chestnuts and almonds are both hot-natured foods, and almonds have a relatively high oil content. If the two are eaten together, symptoms such as diarrhea and stomachache can occur, so do not eat them together.

5. Chestnuts should not be eaten with tofu: Chestnuts contain oxalic acid, and tofu contains calcium sulfate. If the two are eaten together, they will produce indigestible precipitates, affecting calcium absorption and easily causing stone disease, so it is best not to eat them together.

6. Chestnuts should not be eaten with milk: Chestnuts contain starch, and milk contains protein and a large amount of calcium. If the two are eaten together, symptoms such as indigestion and bloating can occur, so it is best not to eat them together.

4. Can chestnuts still be eaten if they are dried and hard?

In general, chestnuts that have become hard and dry can be eaten, but if they are moldy or rotten, it is best not to eat them to avoid discomfort.

5. What is the market price of chestnuts per jin?

The market price of raw chestnuts is about 4 to 8 yuan per jin, while the market price of cooked chestnuts is generally 10 to 20 yuan per jin. However, because market prices and regions differ, prices will also vary to some extent, so it is recommended that you inquire in detail at your local market and rely on the local price. The latest specific market prices for chestnuts are as follows: