EDIBLE DOESN'T MEAN PALATABLE

I was spending a glorious day hiking in the Ozarks with a dear friend when she spied that the coral berry is fruiting now.  The coral berry (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus) is also known as Indian currant.  It is a shrub found in woodlands and thickets that flowers in July-August and forms fruit in the early fall.  Coral berry is used as a food by deer, quail, turkey and many songbirds that are year-round residents.  “Edible doesn’t mean palatable” my friend stated as we examined the coral berry.  Of course, I immediately had to discover what she meant.  I plucked a berry off the shrub and popped it into my mouth.  I expected a horrid taste – perhaps lemon sour or something bitter.  I was hoping for an unpalatable taste that would make me look like I was weaned on pickle juice.  I was disappointed.  It had no noticeable flavor.  Ah, alas edible doesn’t mean palatable.