In this video, Dad and I stumbled across an interesting tree we rarely see. I bet most of you have never heard of it. Dad forgot about being camera shy as he talked about this tree and gave me a quick lesson about compound leaves.
According to The University of Kentucky, the reason for its name is………..
“The seeds of Kentucky coffee tree were used by early settlers as a substitute for coffee. However, caution must be taken because the seeds and pods are poisonous. They contain the alkaloid cystisine that can be dangerous. Cystisine is thought to be neutralized in the roasting process. Cattle have died after drinking from pools of water containing fallen seeds and leaves from Kentucky coffee tree.”
( http://www.uky.edu/hort/Kentucky-Coffeetree)
The beans were roasted then ground up for a noncaffeinated bitter coffee substitute. Question: how to know the beans are roasted enough? Probably a good idea to just leave it alone and find some chicory root to roast and grind up instead. Risk versus benefit.
However, Dad says the pods were used in ponds to kill/stun fish. Now we’re talking! Cooking the fish will neutralize the toxin. My mind immediately went into motion with all the different ways to create fish pools in a stream. It’s an interesting tree and bonding time with my father. A survival resource even if we can’t eat or drink from the tree itself.
Thanks for watching!
Intro music: Magical Path by Alexander Blu
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