Just when you thought it was safe to go back to the salad bar . . .

Pinus armandii
2.5 out of 5 stars
Pine Mouth (Pine Nut) Syndrome: Description of the Toxidrome, Preliminary Case Definition, and Best Evidence Regarding an Apparent Etiology. Munk MD. Semin Neurol 2012 Nov;32:525-527.
Abstract
This short paper discusses what is known about “Pine Mouth Syndrome” (confusingly abbreviated as PMS) — the occurrence of cacogeusia, an unpleasant bitter or metallic taste that develops in some people 1 -3 days after eating pine nuts from a specific species of tree, Pinus armandii.
The exact substance that causes this syndrome has not been identified. Since onset is delayed, it is most likely a metabolite of a chemical in the nut. Duration of cacogeusia in reported cases is 3 – 30 days (mean 9.3 days). Symptoms resolve without sequelae.
Although little appreciated, this syndrome is not rare. For example, more than 3100 cases were reported to French poison control centers in a nearly 2 year period in the years 2008-2010.
We should not that the described here — a 38-year-old male who developed taste disturbance one day after ingesting ~15 pine nuts at a salad bar — was previously reported by the same author.
[Addendum: Aug 7, 2013] I should add that the author proposes features of a case definition for PMS. These features include:

taste disturbance, usually described as bitter or metallic
onset 1 -3 days after ingestion of pine nuts
symptoms resolve spontaneously within 1 month
no other neurologic signs or symptoms except mild h...

Source: The Poison Review - August 7, 2013 Category: Toxicology Authors: Leon Tags: Medical cacogeusia dysgeusia pine mouth syndrome pine nut syndrome pinus armandii taste disturbance Source Type: news