Asian Pine Nuts

Have you noticed any change on the palate after eating pesto made with Asian pine nuts? Evidently ,there is a condition or after effect called Pine Nut Mouth, that can produce a bitter metallic like taste at the back of the mouth that can last up to weeks. Drinking or eating will not clear the taste .

It is a mild form of food poisoning that is linked to the white pine nut which is not digestible and triggers the release of cholecystokinin, which causes the release of enzymes of bile from the pancreas, adding to the off taste. Personally, in addition to apples,I have decided to avoid using pine nuts from China,Korea,Vietnam and Russia.

I recently researched and decided to buy pine nuts from a domestic source. You pay a hefty price but it's worth it. A Good way to offset the cost of domestic pine nuts is to blend them with other nuts to make pesto or use in baked goods . Walnuts, and Brazil nuts are a good substitute.