Cork Oak (Quercus suber occidentalis)

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

Quercus suber occidentalis is an evergreen Tree growing to 18 m (59ft) by 13 m (42ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen in October. 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

taste test can tell when the tannin has been leached. — 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.; It can take several days or even weeks to properly leach whole seeds, one method was to wrap them in a cloth bag and place them in a stream.

Habitat & North American Range

Siliceous hills on the littoral. (Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10)