Conkers, which are the glossy nuts of the horse chestnut tree, are not safe to eat as they contain a toxic compound called aesculin. Raw conkers have a bitter taste and can cause stomach upset, nausea, and other symptoms if consumed. While it is possible to cook conkers to make them less toxic, their taste remains unpleasant, and they have historically been used more for crafts and games than for food. They are sometimes processed into a flour by cooking and leaching to remove toxins, but this is not common practice today. In contrast, sweet chestnuts—which look somewhat similar—are edible and widely consumed. It's important to distinguish between the two to avoid accidental poisoning. Conkers are mildly poisonous to humans and many animals, except some like deer which can eat them without issues. They do have some non-food uses, such as natural soap production due to their saponin content and potential use as moth repellents. In summary, conkers should not be eaten raw and are generally considered inedible and toxic for humans.
