Nuts
Carya tomentosa
B tier
Carya tomentosa is mockernut hickory botanically—thick shell, smaller sweet kernel, solid flavour when worth the crack. Sample trees before bulk processing. Freeze good meats promptly. Not a bitternut substitute problem if identified correctly. Tree-nut allergen.
Track this ingredient
Unit
Characteristics
Preparations
Local BakingOccasional RoastWild SnackWildlife Context
Traits
Hard ShellLow Kernel YieldModest Eating UseNativeSecondary EatingSmall MeatThick ShellUpland Species
History
US
Indigenous peoples of eastern North America gathered hickory nuts as a major mast food.
US
Settlers learned sweet versus bitter hickory species from Indigenous knowledge and experience.
US
Hickory remained mostly local and foraged while pecan commercialised more heavily.
Foraging culture and specialty crackers kept sweet hickory nuts in niche US markets.