The Unexpected Nutrient-Rich Food Growing in Your Own Yard
Written by Susan Parker | Updated on May 28, 2025
Reviewed by Susan Parker
11 sources cited
In a time before supermarkets and modern snacks, humans once relied on a long-forgotten treasure for sustenance — a treasure that is now causing an unexpected conflict between humans and squirrels in South Korea. Could it be that the next big superfood craze has been hiding in plain sight for centuries? Welcome to the remarkable revival of the unassuming acorn.
Overview
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Ancient Superfood Rediscovered: Throughout history, acorns have been a staple in human diets, recognized today for their potent nutritional content rich in antioxidants, fiber, and essential minerals.
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Health and Medicinal Benefits: Acorns are known for their antibacterial, antiviral, and neuroprotective properties, offering potential benefits in managing diabetes and promoting skin healing.
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Modern-Day Comeback: With the increasing interest in sustainable and wild foods, acorns are making a comeback in human diets through methods like roasting, leaching, and innovative uses such as flour for baking, coffee alternatives, and noodle production.
Centuries-Old and Still Potent: Unveiling the Truth About Acorns
The squirrels of South Korea are feeling displeased.
These fluffy-tailed creatures are unhappy due to human intrusion into their habitat.
Not satisfied with plant-based foods, ancient grains, celery juice, and oat milk, pioneering Koreans searching for novel culinary experiences have begun to encroach on the squirrels' territory and raid their winter food source. . .
. . .A highly nutritious yet overlooked superfood - the acorn.
An Age-Old Human Food
Prior to being associated with squirrels, acorns held a longstanding tradition as a human food source. Dating back to 5000 BC, acorns, the fruits of the Quercus genus (oak), have been acknowledged as a significant food staple.
Two millennia ago, the Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder hailed the oak as the "tree that first bore food for humankind."
In regions abundant with oak trees like California, many Native Americans made use of them. According to USDA plant botanist Kat Anderson, acorns have been a fundamental food source for these communities for ages.
Indigenous groups in other western areas also extensively utilized acorns, with one tribe preserving them in human urine for six months. These treated acorns were termed "chinook olives," considered a supreme delicacy.
Even today, acorns remain a crucial food source in various parts of the world.
In Southern Europe and North Africa markets, they are sold boiled and ready-to-eat from late November. North Africans produce acorn oil for cooking. In Iran, acorns are transformed into flour for bread-making. In Korea, they are crafted into noodles. Europe and parts of the American Midwest brew a coffee-like beverage from acorns.
The Nutritional Power of Acorns
With 450 Quercus species worldwide, the nutritional composition varies, but their abundance of phytochemicals, many acting as potent antioxidants, is of primary interest. These compounds have shown in lab studies to reduce the risk of various diseases.
Acorns are also rich in dietary fiber, fatty acids, sterols, protein, vitamins A and E, as well as minerals like calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium.
Research indicates that acorns possess antibacterial, antiviral, and neuroprotective qualities. Acorns and oak bark have been used to treat numerous skin ailments, and indigenous tribes in eastern North America applied acorns as medicinal ointments. A study on mice hinted at the potential of acorns in managing type 2 diabetes.
Their recognition as a new superfood stems not only from their nutritional value but also from being an environmentally friendly and sustainable food source.
Miles Irving, the author of The Forager Handbook and a supplier to prominent British eateries, describes acorns as "a highly nutritious food that unfortunately goes unused."
Wayne Askew, a retired professor from the Division of Nutrition at the University of Utah, consumes acorns himself and acknowledges their high nutritional value, highlighting them as a safe wild food source compared to items like mushrooms.
Researchers from the University of Porto in Portugal conducted an extensive assessment of the health and medicinal benefits of acorns. Their findings suggest that acorns hold significant potential as premium nutraceuticals for dietary supplements or functional foods.
Preparing and Enjoying Acorns
Raw acorns are notably bitter due to their tannin content. While not toxic, consuming raw acorns in large quantities can lead to digestive issues.
The simplest way to eliminate tannins is through roasting. Irving notes that unlike peanuts, raw acorns are not a snackable item due to their astringent nature, but when roasted, they offer a rich, delightful flavor.
Another method to remove tannins is leaching. Whole shelled acorns can be soaked in hot water and left to stand for an hour. Subsequently, the water should be changed repeatedly until clear. This leaching process may take several hours. Chopped acorns only need to be soaked in cold water on the countertop, though it may require several days to remove the tannins.
The processed acorns can be consumed directly or ground into flour for baking. Irving suggests mixing them with wheat flour to make pancakes, resulting in a flatbread-like texture that is both solid and delicious.
With the rising enthusiasm for foraging local wild edible plants and sustainable, nutritious food sources, it is highly likely that acorns will experience a resurgence in dietary practices, leading to a proliferation of acorn-infused products in health food stores in the coming years.
As for the squirrels in South Korea, they need not worry. Devoted animal advocates known as "Acorn Rangers" are patrolling university campuses and public parks nationwide, deterring humans from collecting acorns. The squirrel population is reportedly very appreciative.
Summary
Acorns have served as a crucial food source for humans worldwide for millennia, offering essential nutrients and medicinal advantages. Today, amidst the surge in sustainable eating habits, this unassuming nut is being rediscovered for its wealth of antioxidants, fiber, healthy fats, and vital minerals. Studies demonstrate that acorns can aid in digestion, disease prevention, and provide an eco-friendly alternative to modern processed foods. With proper preparation, acorns can be transformed into flour, roasted snacks, coffee replacements, and more. As demand grows, acorns are poised to become the next significant health food trend—though not without some contention from the squirrels of South Korea, who now have their winter supplies protected by the vigilant "Acorn Rangers."
