Beech Nut
DESCRIPTION:
The Beech nut belongs to the Beech tree, scientifically known as Fagus. The beech trees are large in size as Shadow trees. It is bright yellow to orange in color. It begins to produce seeds when it is 40 years old. By 60 years it produce huge amount of seeds. The Beechnut is also known as mast, which is small less than half-inch in diameter. The beechnut is sweet flavor as chestnut. The beech tree doesn’t produce nuts for every year. It has a Bur which contains 2to4 nuts in it. When it is ready, the bur opens and drops the nut.
HOW IT IS GROWN:
These trees require forest like air to the landscape. These trees require full sunlight and moist, nutrient rich soil to grow. Take a bowl fill it with some water; put the seeds into the bowl. Discard the seeds which float. Take the seeds from the bowl and lay them in the mesh screen. Keep them in the dark place. Take a handful of sand and moisten it, place them in the zipper bag. Take the dried seeds and place them in the zipper bag. Allow them to be refrigerated for 90 days. After the seed germinate, place them in the ground and water daily. Add some fertilizers to it. Within 40 years the tree will produce Beechnuts on its own.
WHERE IT IS GROWN AND CONSUMED:
The Beechnuts are native to Europe, Asia and North America. Only some of the Beechnuts are edible to mankind. Because of the sweetness in the seed they are crushed into butter. The Beechnut plays an important role in wildlife. They are food for large variety of birds and mammals including deer, blue jays, squirrels, ducks, and black beer. The nut should not be eaten raw, because it contains toxic substance. It can be roasted and taken. The heat destroys the toxic substances in it.
HEALTH AND BENEFITS AND NUTRITIONAL VALUE:
The beechnuts are lower in Cholesterol. It is rich in carbohydrate therefore it reduces heart disease and obesity. The beechnuts contain 28.4g of protein which helps to build muscles, bones, skin and blood in the body. It contain vitamin such as Vitamin B6 which helps in maintaining healthy brain function and maintaining normal nerve function. Since it is lower in Sodium helps for weight loss in the body. The Beechnut are rich in water content hence provide good Kidney functioning and clearer Skin.
FACTS:
Only small amount of Beechnuts should be eaten. The Beechnuts are useful in producing oil and coffee. The oil from Beechnut is used as Fuel for lamps. The Beechnuts mixed with some other fruits are used as food for babies.