ARE HEDGE APPLES EDIBLE SKIN

These bows were so prized for their resilient nature that they were found over two-thousand miles away in other tribes, often sought after and distributed through trade. The trees were known for their durable, decay-resistant wood and were considered sacred by the Osage Indian tribe as they constructed their best bows from the wood. Osage oranges have a complex history steeped in tradition and innovation. In addition to consuming the seeds, the fruits are generally kept as ornamental decoration or are used as an air freshener for a couple of weeks when stored in a cool place away from direct sunlight. Osage orange seeds have a nutty flavor that is reminiscent of a cross between a sunflower seed mixed with popcorn. Once cleaned, the seeds are left to dry and are then lightly toasted. To remove the seeds, the fruit is popularly soaked until the flesh softens and the seeds are then carefully plucked out. It is a painstaking process to remove the seeds from the flesh, and one fruit can contain 200 to 300 seeds. Beyond the flesh, the seeds are edible and can be toasted. Despite many misinterpretations of the fruit being inedible, the fruit is edible but is not commonly consumed due to its unpalatable features such as the bitter flavor and unpleasant latex-like liquid that can irritate the skin.

Some animals such as squirrels do consume the seeds, but the fruits earned their inedible reputation due to livestock choking on the fruits and dying. Osage oranges are a peculiar fruit as both humans and most animals choose not to consume the bitter flesh. Osage oranges are not commonly consumed, but they do contain essential oils and some antioxidant properties. Today with modern farming advancements, the majority of the trees have been cut down and have become relatively rare, remaining localized to select regions of North America. Once prized as natural fencing for its fast-growing nature and thorny branches, Osage oranges were one of the most planted trees in the central United States. Throughout North American history, Osage oranges have peaked and waned in popularity due to changing, evolving civilizations. Also known as the Hedge apple, Bow-wood, Horse apple, and Monkey Ball, Osage oranges are considered to be a relict species that has been present since prehistoric times, once consumed by extinct giant sloths and mastodons. Osage oranges, botanically classified as Maclura pomifera, are uniquely textured fruits growing on small deciduous trees that are members of the Moraceae or Mulberry family.

Osage oranges are available in the fall in North America. The flavor is generally unpleasant, unpalatable, and some may feel ill after ingesting the bitter fruit, causing many to deem it inedible. Osage oranges have a green, bitter flavor with mild notes of cucumber and a fruity, citrus-like aroma.

ARE HEDGE APPLES EDIBLE SKIN

When the flesh is sliced, it also exudes a sticky, white liquid that can be irritating to the skin and may cause a rash. Underneath the ridged surface, the flesh is dense, cream-colored to pale green, and contains 200 to 300 oblong, light brown, edible seeds. The surface is deeply grooved, yellow-green, and rough, covered in a few stray, wiry hairs. Osage oranges are large and globular, averaging 8 to 15 centimeters in diameter, and have a slightly lopsided appearance from protruding lumps.

Are hedge apples edible