Contributed by Sigi Warren
Select acorns with no holes or caps, with creamy white tops and a heavy feel for their size.
Preheat oven to 180F.
Arrange acorns in no thicker than a double layer on shallow baking sheets and heat for one hour. Very large acorns may need another 15 minutes. Do not overheat or they will get very wet inside and take forever to dry. The heat processing will kill any larvae hiding inside a perfect looking acorn.
Place heat treated acorns on old window screens or 1/2" hardware cloth frames. Use bricks or items of a similar thickness as spacers to allow air circulation to dry the acorns. Do not pile too high or you risk mold.
Check on your acorns frequently. Any surface mold can be wiped away or will turn to dust as the nut dries. Drying time varies depending on temperature and humidity; however, allow at least six months on the drying rack.
Once completely dry, the acorns are rock hard inside and great for tooth maintenance. They may be stored for at least 2-3 years in a covered bin (keep an eye out for pantry moths) in a cool, dark place.
From the December 2014 WRAM Newsletter