Re: oxalis was RE: Prize Pest
- To: Karl Hoover
- Subject: Re: oxalis was RE: Prize Pest
- From: W* B*
- Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2000 08:50:28 -0800 (PST)
The Incas developed a method to extract oxalic acid from Oxalis tuberosa
so that it could be safely used for food. They froze the tubers, then when
they were mushy, they squeezed the juice out of them, then they dried
them, and after that the repeated the process - freeze, squeeze, dry -
until there was no longer liquid (or oxalic acid) left. The tubers had
been effectively freeze dried for storage and made safe from the effects
of the oxalic acid. (from Dr. Baker's Economic Botany)
Elly Bade
On Mon, 17 Jan 2000, Karl Hoover wrote:
>
>
> Doxiadis/Malefakis wrote:
> Oxalis pes-caprae is undeniably indestructible but somehow seems too
> humble and too benign an opponent, spreading soft tender and lemony at
> our feet in great swaths of winter brightness. (Besides, Janet, it adds
> a delectable "tang" to the greens of our winter pittas here in the North
> of Greece).........
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
> That delectable tang is due to non other than oxalic acid, named
> of course, for this genus. This material is a a powerful rust and
> soap scum remover and extremely toxic. It binds with calcium
> to form insoluable crystals which rupture kidney tissue. It
> is the metabolic successor of ethylene glycol, the principle component
> of automobile anitfreeze, which indeed is even tastier than oxalis.
>
> So, unless you have some need or desire for some more discrete form of
> seppuku I'd suggest avoid consuming both Oxalis and antifreeze. <8)
>
> Karl
> San Jose California, where
>
> Dahlia imperis' hundreds of blossoms are fading. Brugmansia and abutilon are
> blooming wildly. Camellia japonica is stirring from slumber. Vicia faba are
> poking about. Very atypically Lycopersicon esculentum is still setting
> fruit! Most
> everything else is drowsy or sleeping.....
>
>
