Nuts, ginkgo nuts, dried
Whole food · Nut and Seed Products
Photo: Wikipedia
Dried ginkgo nuts are the starchy, chewy seeds of the ancient ginkgo tree, prized in East Asian cuisine. They have a distinctive, slightly sweet and earthy flavor with a firm, almost chestnut-like texture when cooked. Nutritionally, they are a notable source of plant-based protein and complex carbohydrates, while being very low in fat.
💚 Why it's loved
People love ginkgo nuts for their unique, savory-sweet flavor and satisfying, chewy texture that adds a special element to both savory stews and delicate desserts. They hold deep cultural significance in many Asian cuisines, often symbolizing longevity and used in celebratory dishes.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Dried ginkgo nuts are high in carbohydrates (72.45g per 100g) and have no fiber, which can lead to a rapid blood sugar spike if eaten in large quantities alone. To counteract this, pair them with protein or healthy fats (like in a stew with meat or tofu), practice strict portion control, and ensure they are always cooked, as raw ginkgo nuts contain toxic compounds.
Key benefits
- Good source of plant-based protein (10.35g per 100g)
- Rich in complex carbohydrates for sustained energy
- Very low in fat (2g per 100g)
- Contains essential minerals like manganese and potassium
- Traditional ingredient in savory and sweet dishes
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The ginkgo tree is often called a 'living fossil' as it is one of the oldest living tree species, with fossils dating back over 200 million years, and some individual trees are claimed to be over 1,000 years old.
Full nutrition (scales with serving)
| Water | 12.4 g |
| Energy | 348 kcal |
| Energy | 1456 kj |
| Protein | 10.3 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 2.0 g |
| Ash | 2.8 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 72.5 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 20.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.6 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 53.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 269 mg |
| Potassium, K | 998 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 13.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.67 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.54 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.22 mg |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 29.3 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.43 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.18 mg |
| Niacin | 11.7 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 1.3 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.64 mg |
| Folate, total | 106 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 106 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 106 ug |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 55.0 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 1091 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.38 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.34 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.02 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.74 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.10 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.61 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.74 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.69 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.03 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.17 g |
| Threonine | 0.64 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.50 g |
| Leucine | 0.76 g |
| Lysine | 0.49 g |
| Methionine | 0.13 g |
| Cystine | 0.06 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.41 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.15 g |
| Valine | 0.68 g |
| Arginine | 1.0 g |
| Histidine | 0.24 g |
| Alanine | 0.59 g |
| Aspartic acid | 1.3 g |
| Glutamic acid | 2.0 g |
| Glycine | 0.55 g |
| Proline | 0.83 g |
| Serine | 0.69 g |
FAQ
Are dried ginkgo nuts the same as fresh ones?
No. Dried ginkgo nuts are the shelled, dehydrated seeds. They are harder and more concentrated in flavor, requiring rehydration or longer cooking times compared to fresh, brined, or frozen ginkgo nuts.
How do you prepare dried ginkgo nuts for cooking?
They must be rehydrated before use. Soak them in warm water for several hours or overnight until softened. For some recipes, you may also need to blanch them to remove any residual bitterness.
Are ginkgo nuts safe to eat?
Only when properly cooked. Raw or undercooked ginkgo nuts contain ginkgotoxin, which can cause seizures. The toxin is heat-sensitive, so thorough boiling, roasting, or stir-frying is essential for safety.