John Myers
Don’t ignore if the walnuts taste bitter. Some nuts, and this is especially true for walnuts, generally have a slightly tart taste. However, if the walnuts taste bitter, caution is advised, because then eating the nuts can be hazardous to your health.
Walnuts taste bitter – so you should not eat the nuts
Bitter-tasting walnuts are not only unpleasant, they can also cause health problems. Therefore, you should sort out the nuts immediately.
- Nuts combine a number of advantages: They are a popular snack between meals because they are filling. Many dishes can be refined with nuts and, last but not least, walnuts are small nutrient bombs.
- Despite all their advantages, nuts also have a very significant disadvantage: unlike many other foods, nuts can hardly be seen to have mold on them with the naked eye. However, in addition to the bitter taste, an unpleasant smell can also be an indication of inedible walnuts.
- In the case of all other nuts, a non-visible mold infestation can also occur and unfortunately this is not uncommon. Especially with imported nuts, which are not always optimally stored, the risk of mold growth should not be underestimated.
- The molds that are “invisible” to us are the so-called mycotoxins. Like other molds, they can cause serious health problems.
- In addition to mold growth, purchased walnuts also run the risk of the nuts being contaminated with plasticizers, mineral oil components or salmonella, for example.
Bitter-tasting walnuts – that can be the consequences
If you have only eaten a few bitter-tasting walnuts, this will probably not have any serious consequences. However, if you have a sensitive stomach, it can lead to gastrointestinal problems.
- The situation is already different if you have eaten a large quantity of nuts that were infected with the mould. Among other things, mycotoxins are suspected of at least promoting the formation of tumors. Furthermore, the extremely toxic mold can damage the kidneys and liver.
- In short: If you catch a bitter-tasting walnut, your life is of course not threatened. However, you should critically examine all other walnuts that were in the bag or were stored together and, if necessary, dispose of them as a precaution.
- If you have harvested the walnuts yourself, you can usually successfully prevent the formation of mold with optimal storage conditions. This includes, among other things, storing the walnuts in a dry and airy place immediately after you have collected them.
- Nets that you hang up in a suitable place, such as in a barn or shed, are ideal for storing the nuts. In this way, the walnuts can dry well and mold doesn’t stand a chance.
Walnuts Taste Bitter – FAQs
Why do walnuts sometimes taste bitter?
Rancid means the oil in the walnuts has gone off. Throw them out. The bitterness is in the very thin skin on the walnuts. It gets browner and more bitter as they age.
How do you take the bitterness out of walnuts?
Place walnuts in boiling water for five minutes to remove bitter taste. Remove from water and drain, then run cold water over the walnuts.
Should walnuts be bitter?
Don’t! This slightly bitter skin contains 90% of the walnut’s phenols, including key phenolic acids, tannins and flavinoids. Remember, to get the most benefit from walnuts, you’ll have to take the bitter with the sweet.
Why do walnuts have a weird taste?
George Ennis, flavor chemist at David Michael & Company, explains it in these terms: “The astringent taste is a result of the tannins and catechin from the paper-like skin (pellicle) surrounding the nut kernel.” Product developers take note: The tannins in walnuts are great for balancing out sweet dishes!
Can you get sick from eating rancid walnuts?
Eating rancid food won’t make you sick, but the new molecules that form as oxidation occurs may lead to digestive issues. Rancid foods are also less nutritious because oxidation destroys the good fats and some of the vitamin content.
Are walnuts sweet or bitter?
Usually walnuts are only bitter if they are not properly ripe or if they are moldy. Bitter nuts can be harmful to your health. They may contain mold or toxins.
How can you tell good quality walnuts?
Smell and take a small nibble of the walnuts. Fresh walnuts will smell nutty and have a sweet, nutty taste. Walnuts that smell like paint thinner and have a very bitter taste are rancid and need to be thrown away.
