A hedge apple, also known as an Osage orange, is a bright yellow-green fruit produced by the Osage orange tree (Maclura pomifera). While hedge apples are not toxic to humans, most consider them inedible due to their dry, bitter taste and woody texture. However, some claim that hedge apples offer potential health benefits and can be incorporated into certain recipes. This article will examine whether humans can eat hedge apples, providing a quick overview of hedge apple properties, potential uses, and safety concerns.
What is a Hedge Apple?
The Osage orange tree is native to the southcentral United States and produces hedge apples in the fall. Hedge apples are round with a bumpy, textured exterior. When cut open, the inside of a hedge apple has a sticky, milky sap and sections that look similar to an orange. However, hedge apples taste nothing like oranges. Instead, they have a bitter, sour taste that deters most people from eating them.
Hedge apples are not actually a fruit, but rather a multiple fruit that contains many small fruits fused together. The technical term for this is a syncarp. Each section of a hedge apple contains a seed, similar to a miniature orange segment.
Potential Uses for Hedge Apples
While hedge apples are not widely consumed as food, some claim they offer health benefits and creative uses:
Insect Repellent
Pioneers claimed that placing hedge apples around a home helped repel insects. The basis for this is unclear, but some think aromatic compounds in hedge apples may deter pests. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this use.
Skin Care
The sap of hedge apples contains latex and saponins, compounds that may have anti-inflammatory effects. Some people apply it topically to soothe minor skin irritations. However, more research is needed on the skin benefits of hedge apples.
Livestock Feed
Hedge apples can be fed to livestock like cattle and pigs. However, they should be blended or chopped first to break down the flesh. Even then, hedge apples only provide minimal nutritional value.
Wood Crafts
The dense wood of Osage orange trees is prized for woodworking. Hedge apples are sometimes incorporated into rustic craft projects or decorative displays.
Cooking
Some intrepid cooks have found ways to incorporate hedge apples into jams, pies, and other dishes by combining them with sugar or other fruit. Food blogs offer hedge apple recipes ranging from chutney to molasses. However, most require an adventurous palate.
| Hedge Apple Recipe Ideas |
|---|
| Hedge apple chutney |
| Hedge apple jelly |
| Hedge apple molasses |
| Hedge apple pie |
| Candied hedge apples |
Are Hedge Apples Safe to Eat?
Most sources agree that hedge apples are not toxic to humans. However, their safety for consumption has not been thoroughly studied. Potential risks of eating hedge apples include:
Choking Hazard
The dry, woody flesh of hedge apples could potentially cause choking if not chewed thoroughly. They should always be blended or processed before eating.
Mild Laxative Effect
Unripened hedge apples contain phytochemicals that may have a mild laxative effect. Fully ripe hedge apples seem less likely to cause this effect. It’s best to start with a small portion to see how your body reacts.
Pesticide Exposure
Hedge apples grown conventionally may contain pesticide residues if they have not been washed. It is best to use organic hedge apples or wash them thoroughly first.
Allergic Reactions
Those with latex allergies may react to the sap inside hedge apples. It’s uncertain if the flesh would also trigger an allergic response. Anyone with a latex allergy should exercise caution.
Overall, most people do not experience major side effects from tasting hedge apples. But their safety has not been confirmed in formal studies either. Anyone new to hedge apples should take care to start small and watch for adverse reactions.
Taste and Texture of Hedge Apples
Most people find the taste and texture of hedge apples unappealing. Descriptions of the flavor include:
- Dry, bitter and sour
- Astringent, puckering mouthfeel
- Rotten taste
- Has an aftertaste that lingers in the mouth
The texture is typically described as:
- Grainy
- Dry and mealy
- Custard-like
- Woody and tough
Chefs recommend blending hedge apples thoroughly to break down some of the fibrous texture before cooking with them. But even then, their flavor generally requires sweeteners, spice, or other fruit to make them palatable.
Expert Opinions on Eating Hedge Apples
Many foraging experts advise against consuming hedge apples. Since they offer minimal nutritional value and questionable palatability, there is little motivation to use them for food:
Sam Thayer – Forager and Author
“I don’t recommend them for anything. I’ve tried the fruit, and about the only thing I could compare the taste to is a rotten orange. The texture is mealy and dry. The seeds are plenty bitter. I’ve tried making jelly, but only got bitterness for my efforts.”
Green Deane – Educator at Eat the Weeds
“My personal experience is hedge apples taste awful. They also give me awful stomach cramps.”
Dick Deuerling – Foraging Author
“In my opinion, hedge apples are not worth the effort. The fruit offers very little flesh or juice, so you need to collect an awful lot of them to make anything. And even then, the product usually winds up being hedge apple flavored whatever you added to make it palatable.”
These foraging experts agree that hedge apples can technically be consumed but are unlikely to provide an enjoyable eating experience. The novelty is not worth the effort required to make them tasty.
Nutritional Value of Hedge Apples
Hedge apples have not been thoroughly analyzed by the USDA. But based on limited data, they do not provide significant nutritional value:
| Hedge Apple Nutrition Facts (per 100g) | Daily Value |
|---|---|
| Calories | 74 |
| Fat | 0.4g |
| Carbohydrates | 18.6g |
| Fiber | 8.5g |
| Vitamin C | 14.3mg |
| Calcium | 44mg |
Hedge apples are very low in fat and protein. They contain a fair amount of fiber, but less than many common fruits. Vitamin and mineral content is minimal.
Some sources claim hedge apples contain unique phytonutrients like flavonoids and alkaloids that may offer health benefits. But these compounds have not been studied specifically in hedge apples. Claims about their medicinal properties are unproven.
Overall, hedge apples make negligible contributions to nutrient intake compared to other fruits and vegetables. Their primary appeal is more likely their novelty rather than nutrition.
Where to Find Hedge Apples
Hedge apples can often be found underneath or near Osage orange trees in the central United States. They fall off the trees in late summer and early fall.
Good places to look include:
- Parks
- Public gardens
- Trails
- Fencerows
- Near barns or old farmsteads
You may find both ripe and unripe hedge apples on the ground this time of year. Ripe ones will be yellow-green while unripe hedge apples are still green.
Always ask for permission before gathering hedge apples on private property. Be sure you are allowed to take fruit before collecting a large quantity. Also take care not to damage branches or trample vegetation when gathering hedge apples.
In some areas, you can also find hedge apples for sale at farmers markets or roadside farm stands, especially in rural regions. But they are not a common commercial product. Online shopping yields few options, mostly just novelty gift packages. Your best bet is likely foraging your own or asking local contacts about available hedge apples.
Storing Hedge Apples
Fresh hedge apples will keep for 2-3 months when stored in a cool, dry area like a root cellar or basement. The exterior may shrivel over time, but the fruit inside remains relatively firm. Refrigeration can extend their shelf life for up to 6 months.
To freeze hedge apples, chop into pieces, remove any seeds, and freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to freezer bags. They can then be used in recipes like chutney, jam, or pie filling.
Drying hedge apple slices may also be an option, either in the sun or using a dehydrator. But they take a very long time to fully dehydrate.
Conclusion
Hedge apples are not poisonous, so humans can technically consume them. However, they provide very little nutrition and require substantial processing to make them palatable. Most people find their texture unpleasant and flavor inferior to more conventional fruits.
While hedge apples can be incorporated into some recipes, this requires an adventurous spirit and tolerance of bitterness. Their popularity is driven more by novelty than culinary usefulness.
In the end, hedge apples are botanically interesting but provide minimal incentive for consumption. Foragers are better off seeking out more rewarding ingredients from nature’s bounty. The prudent choice for most is to admire hedge apples from afar and let wildlife feast on these unusual fruits instead.
