Japanese Emperor Oak (Quercus dentata)

Family: Fagaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Quercus dentata is a deciduous Tree growing to 20 m (65ft) by 12 m (39ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds

Harvest Seasons: Fall, Late Summer, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Rich in starch. — The seed is up to 23mm long and 15mm wide.; It can be dried, ground into a powder and used as a thickening in stews etc or mixed with cereals for making bread.; The seed contains bitter tannins, these can be leached out by thoroughly washing the seed in running water though many minerals will also be lost.; Either the whole seed can be used or the seed can be dried and ground it into a powder.

Habitat & North American Range

Sunny slopes and thickets in lowland and mountains all over Japan. Mixed mesophytic forests below 100 - 2700 metres. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)