Wiiwish

Wiiwish, also known as acorn mush, was one of the main food staples of California Indians. Acorns were gathered in the fall before the rain came. To harvest the acorns, California Indians would crack open the shell and pull out the inner part of the acorn. This part of the acorn was then smashed with a mortar and pestle until it was a flour-like consistency. This flour like substance was then leached several times with water until the bitterness of the acorns (which is poisonous) was gone. This mush was then cooked in a waterproof basket with hot rocks and then served. California Indians continue to eat wiiwish both the traditional way and with alterations. These alterations include using other tools to grind down the acorns such as a coffee grinder or/and adding sugar or other seasonings to the finished wiiwish.