Can Black Nightshade Be Eaten? An Analysis of the Edibility and Safety of Black Nightshade

1. Can it be eaten?

Yes, it can. If you grew up in a town or village, it is very easy to spot this plant by the roadside, with fruits that are either green or dark purple. Both the fruits and the leaves and stems of this plant can be eaten.

2. Is it poisonous?

Overall, untreated black nightshade, including its fruits, is poisonous. So how should it be handled? This plant actually contains toxic substances such as solanine and solanine alkaloids. Although it can be eaten raw, before eating it must be blanched in boiling water and soaked. Only after the toxic substances have been removed can it be eaten. And what about its fruits? They can be eaten, but only one or two occasionally; eating too many will cause poisoning.

3. Infusing in liquor

1. Method.

Actually, the seeds of this plant can be used to infuse liquor. When selecting fruits for infusing liquor, choose some ripe fruits and remove any unripe green ones. Because their sugar content is relatively low and their acid content is relatively high, we need to add sugar during infusion to let it ferment. Before soaking, the fruits should first be crushed. Prepare some juicing equipment, and avoid contact with air during juicing. The fruits should not be crushed too finely, otherwise the juice will contain too much pulp and be difficult to filter. After fermentation, it can be poured into a barrel to let it separate. The upper layer of juice can be stored, and the lower layer of skins and residue can be distilled and then used for blending liquor.

2. Effects.

Once brewed, the fruit of this plant becomes clear and transparent, and has a unique fruity aroma. The taste is both full-bodied and soft, and the sweetness and acidity are just right, with the alcohol content not too high. Most importantly, this liquor is very good for our bodies. But also note that alcohol in moderation is good for the body, while drinking too much harms it instead.