>>2639570As
>>2639714 said, you don't really pick them so much as you pick them up. Either shake the tree gently or look for ones that have already fallen on the ground, and obviously aren't half eaten by bugs or other wildlife. As far as the season, that depends on where you are. I'm around Raleigh and the season is probably just getting started. Planning to go check a patch or two this long weekend. I've heard in the northern end of their range the season is more like a month from now. If this is your first time looking for them, you'll probably just have to check often and do some guess work for a year or two to figure out the right time, unless you can ask someone who already knows.
>>2639700Some people do seem to have a bit of a reaction. I've heard it's usually stronger if you eat the skin, which people don't recommend you do anyway, and if the fruit wasn't ripe that would probably make things worse.
>>2639712>>2639713When they're ripe, the texture should be like a soft custard. I have found the flavor can vary a good bit just based on exactly how ripe they are. They can get completely black on the outside and still be edible, but the flavor is different from when it's just fallen off the tree. Also have to keep in mind that this is a wild fruit, barring maybe some selective pressure from the Native Americans that made its way back out into wild populations. Compared to un-domesticated corn or apples, these are a gold mine.
