The best tip is to observe the behavior of wild animals. “What they consume can be used by man”, says Colonel Marcos Carias de Oliveira, a former instructor at the Brazilian Army’s Jungle Warfare Instruction Center (Cigs). Doubts about an unknown fruit can be seen in a simple ecological walk or in an extreme situation, when the decision to eat it or not is a matter of survival. In the first case, perhaps the best advice is not to risk it. Is that, although there are small tricks to identify what is or is not edible, the list of exceptions to the rule is long. Some roots, for example, can be eaten without problem when cooked, but are poisonous when raw. Already certain fruits that are delicious when ripe turn into an indigestible dish if picked ahead of time. “The mangaba fruit, when green, is poisonous and unfit for consumption, causing poisoning that can lead to death”, says agronomist Carlos Ruggiero, from the São Paulo State University (Unesp) in Jaboticabal (SP). That is, the tips in the infographic on this page help, but they are not infallible. Therefore, to put them into practice, only in a limited moment and not out of simple curiosity.
– Which fruits are original from Brazil?
– What is the difference between fruit and vegetable?
Dread at first bite
Faced with unfamiliar fruits and vegetables, follow the clues left by animals
STAY AWAY FROM “CAL”
The acronym CAL stands for “hairy, bitter and milky”. If the fruit in question has these three characteristics added, don’t even think about eating it. However, the existence of only one or two of these characteristics does not prevent consumption. The kiwi, for example, has a “hairy” skin and the papaya can release a kind of milk
APPROVED FLAVOR
Look for large berries that are pecked by birds or bitten by animals. Experts in wilderness survival guarantee that 90% of what animals eat can also be consumed by humans
IN THE TRAIL OF LUNCH
Following small animal footprints is a good tactic. They can lead to fruit trees and plants. When you get close to them and look up, you will probably find fruits bitten by animals.
THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM
Many underground roots and shoots can be eaten raw, such as radishes and carrots. If you find a known vegetable, it’s okay to eat it fresh. But if you are in doubt as to whether a root or shoot is edible, it is better to cook it. The wild yam, for example, is poisonous raw, but not cooked.