Funny name, I know. But I'm pretty sure this a real thing after the past two days.
Pine nuts can cause taste disturbances, lasting from a few days to a few weeks after consumption. A bitter, metallic taste is described. Though unpleasant, there are no known lasting effects, with the FDA reporting that there are "no apparent adverse clinical side effects.".[11] This phenomenon was first described in a scientific paper in 2001.[12] Publications have made reference to this phenomenon as "pine nut syndrome" or as "pine mouth".[13] The Nestlé Research Centre has hypothesized that nuts from a particular species of pine occurring mostly in China, Pinus armandii, is the cause of the problem. The suspect species of pine nuts are smaller, duller, and more rounded than typical pine nuts.[14] A 2011 study found results consistent with this hypothesis and also suggested that chemicals used in the shelling process might be responsible.[15] Metallic taste disturbance, known as metallogeusia, is typically reported 1–3 days after ingestion, being worse on day 2 and lasting typically up to 2 weeks. Cases are self-limited and resolve without treatment.[16] Möller[17] has postulated a hypothesis that could explain why the bitter taste appears several days after ingestion and lasts for as long. A well known physiological process known as enterohepatic recirculation (EHR) could play a key role in the development of PNS.
The FDA is currently investigating "pine mouth".[18]
We got a boatload of good fresh basil over the past couple of weeks. Naturally, the thing to do is make curries or pesto. We went with pesto and bought some pine nuts from a warehouse store to save money. Now it tastes like I'm sprinkling on rust shavings onto all my food. Looks like Chinese quality strikes again. That's sort of a joke, but it sort of isn't.
In any case, I guess the solution is time and switching to an almond pesto recipe. Also, given the nature of syndrome I now think Pine Mouth would make an awesome name for a metal band.
