Beechnuts.—The beech tree is a very common forest tree throughout the northern part of the United States. Formerly immense areas in southern Ohio and Indiana were covered almost exclusively by the beech tree (Fagus americana Sweet). The beechnut is triangular in shape, resembling buckwheat, and formerly was produced in immense quantities over the region mentioned above. In the early days it was the principal food for swine. The hogs which are fattened by eating the beechnut and acorn produce a species of pork of a peculiar and very highly prized flavor. The celebrated hams and bacons of the southern Appalachian ranges were produced from the variety of hogs known as razor-backs fattened on mast, namely, the chestnut, beechnut, and acorn. The beechnut is also one of the principal winter foods of the squirrel and other animals which store their food for winter use. In the cutting of the forests in the winter often large stores of beechnuts are found stored away by squirrels and birds. The beechnut is not very abundant upon the markets of the country, but is eaten very largely by those who live in the vicinity of beech woods.
Composition of the Beechnut.—
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| | | | | Total | |
| Refuse. | Water. | Protein. | Fat. | Carbohydrates. | Ash. | Calories.
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Fagus Americana: | Percent. | Percent. | Percent. | Percent. | Percent. | Percent. | Per pound
Edible portion, | | 4.0 | 21.9 | 57.4 | 12.2 | 3.5 | 3,263
As purchased, | 40.8 | 2.3 | 13.0 | 34.0 | 7.8 | 2.1 | 1,932
Fagus sylvestris: | | | | | | |
Edible portion, | | 9.1 | 21.7 | 42.4 | 22.9 | 3.9 |
As purchased, | 33.0 | 6.1 | 14.5 | 28.4 | 15.4 | 2.6 |
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Brazil-nut (Bertholletia excelsa Humb. and Bonpl.).—Large quantities of this nut are imported into the United States from Brazil and form an important article of food in many localities. This nut is not grown in the United States. It is also known as cream nut. The nut is triangular in shape and has a dark brown rough exterior. The kernel is highly flavored and quite oily. The tree is so sensitive to the cold that it will not grow successfully even in southern Florida, although many attempts have been made to introduce it into that locality.
Composition of the Brazil-nut.—Edible portion, 50.4; refuse, 49.6.
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| | | | | Total | |
| Refuse. | Water. | Protein. | Fat. | Carbohydrates. | Ash. | Calories.
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| Percent. | Percent. | Percent. | Percent. | Percent. | Percent. | Per pound
Edible portion, | | 5.3 | 17.0 | 66.8 | 7.0 | 3.9 | 3,329
As purchased, | 49.6 | 2.7 | 8.6 | 33.6 | 3.5 | 2.0 | 1,678
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