The ancient practice of Macrozamia pit processing in southwestern Australia

[Redtail]

On zamia fuit ...
An article from some research anthropologists:
https://anthropologyfromtheshed.com...aGt5_4i0l69uagTM-Nq5JgyD1WP7TwPz9zEM6_TvGApcQ

 

[Chigger]

Remember many years ago with a bushwalking party in the Ettrema Wilderness we came across what was called "Macrazami Palms" with those bright red fruits. One of the group was familar with these and said the Aborigines used to soak them for a long time.

After boiling they could be eaten. If this was not done the fruits could give violent stomach cramps or much worse.

Myself was never game to try the experiment.

 

[Thrud]

Interesting article. Links within it to earlier work and nutritional composition. Didn’t know about the 6th sense of taste!
Still not sure if it was poisonous. Maybe we can test it out on Bloffy, he has a cast- iron constitution.

 

[Bloffy13]

Oh sure. Pick on the short fat bloke...
Umm, what does it taste like?????
Cheers
Bloffy

 

[Redtail]

Remember many years ago with a bushwalking party in the Ettrema Wilderness we came across what was called "Macrazami Palms" with those bright red fruits. One of the group was familar with these and said the Aborigines used to soak them for a long time.

After boiling they could be eaten. If this was not done the fruits could give violent stomach cramps or much worse.

Myself was never game to try the experiment.

I found the differences between the east coast and west coast practices quite interesting.
Especially with the article suggesting that the flesh is actually not toxic, but was prepared to reduce the risk just the same, and more importantly that it tastes better and lasts longer.

Plus the usual warning: DO NOT TRY IT! :malefico: