I love the change of seasons and my favorite autumn sight in Beijing is the transformation of the Ginkgo biloba (yin xing) trees as they prepare for a chilly winter.
In the next few weeks a golden ochre color will work its way from the outer edge of the tree's fan-shaped leaves toward the stem. The tree will stay a glowing mass of gold for a few days and then dramatically and simultaneously, the leaves will fall.
This picturesque scene is often accompanied by a far less romantic odor as the ripened berries from the female trees also fall to the ground. They emit an indescribably putrid smell due to a particular acid in their fleshy outer layer that is also found in rancid butter, vomit and body odor. That would explain it.
Amazingly this smell does not deter many Chinese people who journey to ginkgo-lined avenues at this time of year to collect these prized fruits. Once the soft, stinky flesh is removed, a hard brown shell is revealed which houses the edible white ginkgo nut (bai guo).
If handling the fresh fruit yourself, ensure you wear gloves to remove the flesh as it may cause contact dermatitis.
At the moment, ginkgo nuts can be bought fresh from some food markets in Beijing but they are more commonly available either dried or canned in Chinese supermarkets.
If buying them fresh, ensure they are roasted or cooked before being eaten because they may be toxic uncooked.
In Chinese cuisine they may be roasted and served as snacks or added to a variety of soups, stews and congees.
Buddha's Delight (luohan zhai) is a sumptuous vegetarian dish which includes ginkgo nuts among various ingredients, such as bamboo shoots, wood ear fungus, lily buds, starch noodles, tofu, water chestnuts, carrots, cabbages and black mushrooms.
In Japan, ginkgo nuts are embedded in a dish called "chawanmushi", a steamed savory egg custard that may also include prawns, chicken and vegetables.
Ginkgo nuts have a high starch content and are low in fat, with a 30 g portion providing around 30 kcal. They have a mealy, bean-like texture and a bland, slightly sweet flavor.
They are thought to boost blood supply around the body and reduce the blood's stickiness. They may also counteract the effect of harmful free radicals when they enter the body and may affect chemicals that alter nerve control.
