1.
ginkgo nut
The edible seed of the 銀杏 (ginkgo) tree, eaten in autumn. Has a distinctive smell when fresh but a delicate, slightly bitter flavor when roasted, and is a classic ingredient in 茶碗蒸し and other Japanese dishes.
秋になると銀杏が売られる。
In autumn, ginkgo nuts go on sale.
銀杏を茶碗蒸しに入れる。
Put ginkgo nuts in chawanmushi.
居酒屋で塩を振った焼き銀杏を注文した。
At the izakaya, I ordered roasted ginkgo nuts with salt.
The same kanji 銀杏 is read both ぎんなん (the nut) and 銀杏 (the tree). 銀杏 is a treasured autumn ingredient, but the fallen fruits on city streets are notorious for their strong, unpleasant smell.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 焼き銀杏: roasted ginkgo nuts
- 銀杏ご飯: rice cooked with ginkgo nuts
- 銀杏拾い: gathering fallen ginkgo nuts
CAUTION:
Ginkgo nuts contain a toxin and should be eaten in small quantities (typically up to about 5–10 per adult per day); children should eat fewer.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 銀杏: ginkgo tree — same kanji, different reading; refers to the tree or its leaves
- 栗: chestnut — another autumn seed, sweeter, less unusual flavor