Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)

Family: Hippocastanaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Oval, Pyramidal.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds

Harvest Seasons: Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

rich in saponins, these must be removed before it can be used as a food and this process also removes many of the minerals and vitamins, leaving behind mainly starch. — The roasted seed is used as a coffee substitute.; It can be dried, ground into a powder and used as a gruel.; The seed is quite large, about 3cm in diameter, and is easily harvested.; It is usually produced in abundance in Britain.

Habitat & North American Range

Mountain woods. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7)