Comments on: What are those cobwebs I find sometimes in walnuts?

Question: What are those cobwebs I find sometimes in walnuts?

tomble — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 05:03:04 -0800

Mmm, walnuts. Hey, what's that cobweb stuff?

Every now and again when I'm shelling and eating walnuts, I'll crack open a nut and find a cobweb like substance inside.

I guess it's some sort of bug, I've never found any little crawlies in there. I also wonder if it's safe to eat? Any ideas?

By: polyglot

polyglot — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 06:39:22 -0800

I believe it's fungal.

By: cerebus19

cerebus19 — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 06:46:14 -0800

Generally speaking, if you have to wonder if something is safe to eat, it's better to assume that it isn't. Better safe than sorry, y'know.

By: any major dude

any major dude — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 07:15:37 -0800

I've always assumed it was moth eggs. If the shell is compromised by even the smallest crack I'm sure a moth can get in there to lay its eggs.

By: Faint of Butt

Faint of Butt — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 07:39:39 -0800

Sounds like moths to me, like you might find in old cereal. I sure wouldn't eat it.

By: goethean

goethean — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 09:08:19 -0800

they're in pistachios, too. ew yuck.

By: meehawl

meehawl — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 09:34:12 -0800

Dodgy nuts can be toxic and carcinogenic. Aflatoxin is not pleasant, and can even be weaponised. Nuts open to the atmosphere for long periods of time can easily develop opportunistic Aspergillus cultures.