Britain's Daily Mail warns that consumers of chinese pine nuts may experience a "foul, metallic taste" for up to two weeks "making practically all food and drink unpalatable." The untreatable ailment is known as pine mouth, and it's puzzling both doctors and consumers alike.

"I, too, fell foul of the metal mouth syndrome after eating a few handfuls of pine nuts bought from a supermarket.

Though I regained my taste after eight days, the only thing I could drink during that time was water, and the only food that was bearable was salad leaves smothered in strong balsamic vinegar. Drinking wine was like swallowing liquid metal."