Eating galls... For science - September & October 2023

Only two galls this time, most are too woody by now for good results. I also found a gall on stinging nettle! But I don't want to take that much of a risk.

Gall 1: Baizongia pistaciae on Pistacia terebinthus.
Date: September 24
Taste: Bitter, leafy and unpleasant. Mildly numbing.
Texture: Fresh galls are often laced with some sticky substance. I don't suppose it's honeydew though. The wall tissue is as tough as mango peel, and guess what;
Smell: Oddly similar to unripe mango, not enough to make it taste like one though.
Notes: These are often filled to the brim with aphids... So I'm always careful to not eat any frass because it's yucky.

Unremarkable galls:
Aceria monspessulani: Just like other mite galls, it's just modified trichomes and a bump on the dorsum. Dry, woody texture and taste.

Posted on Νοέμβριος 06, 2023 0833 ΜΜ by juan_sphex