Can you eat a horse apple?
In this short article, we will answer the question, “can you eat a horse apple?” further explaining why they are not intended for human consumption. Moreover, we will inform you about the eating of horse apple seeds.
Can you eat a horse apple?
No, you cannot eat a horse apple. Hedge apples, sometimes known as Osage oranges or horse apples, are toxic, according to the more straightforward explanation provided above. Horse apple is inedible not because of its disagreeable flavor or appearance, but rather because of the latex included in the fruit’s secretions, which may irritate human skin. Anything that can cause chaos on the outside of the human body has the potential to cause havoc on the inside as well.
Although the seeds are edible, they must be soaked for at least 24 hours to become soft. When the pulp is not soaked, it is difficult to remove a portion of the seeds that are trapped inside it.
What are the advantages of horse apples?
The use of hedge apples for insect control is one of the most effective and long-lasting home pest management methods available. When planted around the foundation or inside the basement, hedge apples are believed to protect against pests such as cockroaches, spiders, boxelder bugs, crickets, and other critters, among others.
Hedges apples are used as a pesticide in this traditional tale, which includes many testimonials about their alleged effectiveness in controlling pests. But because of a scarcity of scientific research, there is no solid data to back up the effectiveness claims made in this article. Although insect repellent molecules have been identified from hedge apples in laboratory tests, these substances do not provide a logical explanation for why hedge apples work in the manner that has been observed. As of right now, there is no evidence to support the use of hedge apples for pest control purposes.
Are horse/hedge apples poisonous?
Hedge apples are mostly grown for their ornamental qualities.
The argument about whether it is edible, on the other hand, continues to flare among people, even those who communicate online.
Hard on the outside
Compared to other fruits, the hedge apple’s rough surface is similar to that of dried fruit: it is covered with bumps and is generally considered unappealing by the majority of people.
For this reason, the majority of people avoid eating it because of its ugly appearance and semi-rigid surface.
After all, who has the time to peel away a rough skin only to find that the inside of the fruit is just as nasty as the outside?
Latex Secretion
When you split a hedge apple in half, a white, sticky material will flow out of the pulp into your hands. This is referred to as latex, and it is quite similar to the latex generated by rubber trees in terms of consistency.
There are currently no accessible descriptions of its flavor on the internet. Pests are believed to be deterred by this discharge, according to certain theories.
At this time, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. According to Robert Frazee, a former University of Illinois natural resources professor, just two items were discovered in his study performed in 2009:
In open areas, hedge apples are ineffective as insect repellent. • Hedge apples are effective as insect repellent only in confined places.
When large and concentrated amounts of the secretion were utilized in a restricted space, it was shown to be efficient against German cockroaches, mosquitoes, and houseflies. Latex discharge, like industrial glue, is an irritant to the skin and should be avoided.
Wood pulp
It is understood that a woody pulp signifies that the fruit is not as delicate as mango or orange when it is cut open and eaten.
The whole texture is unyielding, which is another reason why some people think this fruit is inedible due to its texture. When eaten, a fruit must have a nice flavor as well as a pleasant texture to be considered edible.
What is the best way to consume horse apple seeds?
To consume hedge apple seeds, the following is the customary way of doing so:
- Cut the fruit in half lengthwise.
- Place the seeds in a jar using a spoon.
- Run it under running water to get rid of any sticky residue.
- Using a piece of cloth or tissue paper, dab them to remove excess moisture.
- Alternatively, the seeds may be eaten raw or fried. Simply fry them for 5-10 minutes, or until they are golden brown, in hot oil over medium heat.
- Dry the seeds one more time to eliminate any remaining oil, then season with salt if needed.
Conclusion
In this short article, we answered the question, “can you eat a horse apple?” further explained why they are not intended for human consumption. Moreover, we informed you about the eating of horse apple seeds.
