TOPIC: Ginseng berries?

So I've seen people mention about how Turkeys love ginseng berries. It made me wonder, are ginseng berries edible for humans? If so are they palatable? Seems like a waste to dispose of all that berry pulp. Maybe they could be used to make pies or candies. Or dried and put in bread or muffins? Do they have the same medicinal properties as the rest of the plant?

Yes the entire plant is edible. Many chew on the stalk and juices from it. Many make tea from the dried leaves. The berry pulp is edible as well and many studies are being conducted on the berry pulp juice.
Check this out:

www.hardingsginsengfarm.com/berryconcentrate.htm

Latt

Nice, doesn't mention how palatable it is though. Is it dry tasting like cranberries, sweet like blue berries, or some where in between like grapes?

I have never tried eating a ripe red ginseng berry. I don't think they would be sweet though, not like a grape or blueberry.

I would expect them to be bitter, like the most of the rest of the plant is.

I will have to try one out next year and see.

I have eaten the flower spike (pre-berry set)... and I would caution you that they are very potent. I have read that the flower spike has the highest levels of ginsenosides. Many times higher than the root or stems/leaves.

A tiny bit.. goes a LONG WAY with the flower spike.

I have eaten every other part of the plant too, or at least chewed it up to get the juice out of it (leaves/stems).

I do eat the root, chew it up and eat it. I sometimes eat it plain (dry, in chips or slices) or my favorite the small root hairs.

I also re-hydrate it at times putting it in my coffee or some hot green tea. The slied root softens up nicely that way and is easy to chew up and eat.

My least favorite part of the root is the root neck. I prefer the rest of root, but not so much the root neck. I do eat those too, but it's my last choice.

TNhunter

When I am planting ginseng seeds I often throw the berries in my mouth and eat the pulp and juice then spit the seeds out in my hand to plant. There is not much tast to them surprisingly but I know it is good for you.

TN is dead on with everything he said IMHO. Flower spikes are loaded with ginsenosides and I can honestly say I haven't tried these yet. But I know they are loaded with the good stuff and sell for more per ounce than the roots.

Latt

TNhunter: Heh, that's a bit of an irony. You've eaten every bit of the plant except for the one part that was designed by mother nature to be eaten.

Latt: Do the berries have a distinct flavor? Maybe they can be used to make wine or something.

I really do not think the fresh berry pulp and berry juice have much of a taste when you pop them in your mouth. Kind of neutral really.

Hardings has wine but not sure if it has berry juice in it.
.
www.hardingsginsengfarm.com/ginsengwine.htm

Latt

I agree with Latt on the berry flavor. It doesn't have a taste hardly at all other than a mild tart or starchiness to it. If additions were made to any food for beneficial dietary purposes I do not believe it would alter the taste.

Hillhopper

Latt,
Seeing as how you eat the berry pulp off and planted it.... Would that be considered wild or wild simulated??? Sorry, I had to!

Hillhopper

Hillhopper,
I think a seed would have to make it through the intestinal tract and dispersed naturally to be considered wild.
Sorry, I had to also. lol
Latt