Harvesting, Cleaning, and Storing Mesquite Pods

HARVESTING
Taste a pod from a tree. If you like the flavor, pick pods from the tree (each tree has its own distinct flavor). Pick pods from the trees when they are mature enough to come off with only the gentlest of tugs. Pods can sometimes be collected from the ground if they have not been rained on, but care should be taken to avoid any that have black areas, which indicate mold. If you have trouble finding pods to pick in Tucson take a trip to Sahuarita, Sonoita, or Patagonia where there has been more rain and cooler temperatures. Ripe pods virtually fall off the branch or at most require only a slight pull. Hard pulling indicates that pods are unripe. Avoid pods that appear to have fungal growth on the outside. This is easier to do if you gather pods from the tree rather than off the ground.

CLEANING
Rinse your pods, if desired, by dunking them in a pail of water, swishing them around and then drying them in the sun (or in your oven at low heat) for several days or until they are dry enough to snap in two when bent.

STORING
Store pods in a cool, dry place. Clean garbage cans, buckets, cloth, and paper bags all work well to hold the pods. A shed will work if it's rodent-free. Dry outdoor storage, such as a shed, is better than inside a house, as long as the area is rodent-free. Over time, you may see insects hatching out. If you wish to completely avoid bugs, pods should be stored in the freezer. Otherwise expect bugs, which we handle by shaking most of them to the bottom of the storage container before milling, and letting the rest fly away. You may also wish to wash and dry your pods again a few days before milling, which eliminates most of the bugs. Before milling, your pods should be dry enough that you can snap them between your fingers.