North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Steve <sdw12986@aol.com>]

On 10/27/2010 11:31 AM, nottke1 wrote:
> A friend of mine processed a bushel of pears (old timey hard pears)
after they sat in his garage for a week and softened a bit.  After about
an hour of peeling/paring his hands gradually turned black, like a mild
case of Black Walnut blackening.  The blackening disappeared over a 3 
day period.
> Has anyone else had this experience?
> I have peeled and cored a couple dozen pears at one sitting many times and 
> not noticed any skin discoloration.
> Thanks,
> Jim Nottke, z7 NC

I remember many times, 3 and 4 decades ago, my mother in the kitchen 
cutting up a large quantity of apples. When she was done, her hands were 
quite dark, especially the fingers. I assume this is a similar thing.
I also remember her scrubbing her hands with bleach to make it go away. 
Especially if it was a Saturday, because she didn't want to go to church 
the next morning with black hands.

Steve