What is the edible parts of the lotus plant? (2024)

The edible parts of the lotus plant:

  1. The edible part of the lotus plant is the root, seeds, and young flower stalks.
  2. When the lotus seeds inside the seed head are green, they can be eaten raw as they are sweet.
  3. When the seeds become brown, they can be made into a paste or ground into flour for baking.
  4. Lotus tubers can be used in cooking, pickling, etc.
  5. Leaves and flower stems can be eaten raw such as in salads, or can be cooked to make soups.
  6. The roots are also used for making soups.
  7. Flowers can be dried and used in cooking.
  8. All parts of the lotus plant have medicinal properties such as treatment of inflammation and microbial infections, diabetes, and diarrhea.

What is the edible parts of the lotus plant? (2024)

FAQs

What is the edible parts of the lotus plant? ›

The edible part of the lotus plant is the root, seeds, and young flower stalks. When the lotus seeds inside the seed head are green, they can be eaten raw as they are sweet. When the seeds become brown, they can be made into a paste or ground into flour for baking.

Is the stem of the lotus flower edible? ›

Yes, the lotus stem is edible and might be good for health. It might prove to have medicinal uses. What are the nutrients of the lotus stem? Lotus stem is rich in nutrients like fibre, calcium, and iron.

Is lotus petals edible? ›

The lotus plant has been eaten as a food for 7,000 years in Asia. Its stem and roots are often added to soups and stir-fries, but its leaves, flowers, and seeds are also used in cooking (1, 2 , 3 ). Lotus flowers are popular ornamental plants in Asia.

Is the lotus leaf edible? ›

Apart from its flowers which are used as offerings in Thai temples, almost every part of the lotus is edible: - lotus leaves, which are too tough to eat are sometimes used to wrap rice which, when steamed, has the subtle aroma of the leaf, they're also used as (biodegradable) wrappers.

Which lotus root is edible? ›

Lotus root is the edible rhizome (the subterranean stem) of the lotus plant, a perennial aquatic plant that grows beautiful pink-hued or white flowers. Native to Asia, Australia, New Guinea and parts of the Middle east, lotus plants grow in the mud of shallow ponds, marshes, lagoons, and flooded fields.

Can you eat lotus flowers raw? ›

LEAVES AND STEMS- Leaves or stems of the lotus can be eaten raw or cooked. 4.) FLOWERS- Flowers can be dried and used in recipes for cooking. All parts of the lotus have been used for medicinal purposes for several ailments.

How to eat lotus stems? ›

The lotus stem is cut into thin long strips, half fried, slightly pounded, tossed in rice-flour batter and deep fried—it's crispy, chewy and an oil guzzler. The home version is nadur churma. The lotus stem is deep-fried and sprinkled with salt and red chilli powder—comfort food is rice, haakh, nadur churma and yogurt.

When a person eats a lotus plant what happens to him? ›

Odysseus' men eat the flowering plant and are immediately changed. Anyone who eats this sweet plant becomes forgetful of their purpose. They forget about their home and all their cares in the world. The men never send back a message to Odysseus; they stay and eat the plant with the natives.

Does lotus stem taste good? ›

If you haven't eaten lotus stem – and I am always surprised, having grown up in South East Asia where they are commonly found, by how many people haven't – it is similar in taste to the crunchy, raw water chestnut.

What are the benefits of eating lotus leaves? ›

Diabetes – The leaves lowers blood sugar levels thus helping those suffering from diabetes. Fatty Liver – Tea made from the leaves also helps heal fatty liver disease. Detoxing – Lotus leaf tea is great for detoxing the blood and thus helping to lower your risk of disease.

Can you eat all lotus roots? ›

Most parts of the lotus plant are edible.

What are the 5 benefits of lotus? ›

2. Health benefits of lotus
  • 2.1. Prevent diarrhea. ...
  • 2.2. Helps reduce blood sugar and high cholesterol levels in the blood. ...
  • 2.3. Effectively reduce inflammation. ...
  • 2.4. Helps to add nutrients to the body. ...
  • 2.5. Beat "fly" acne. ...
  • 2.6. Helps regulate menstrual cycle. ...
  • 2.7. Soothes a cough. ...
  • 2.8. Prevent the growth of cancer.

Why can't you eat lotus root raw? ›

The outer skin can be tough and fibrous, so peeling it will help improve the texture and make it more enjoyable to eat. Can lotus root be eaten raw? Yes, lotus root can be eaten raw.

Can lotus stems be eaten raw? ›

Raw: Lotus stem can be sliced thinly and eaten raw in salads or as a snack. It has a crisp, crunchy texture that is similar to that of a waterchestnut.

Can humans eat lotus seeds? ›

Packed with fibre, calcium and a host of other nutrients, lotus seeds, which have a neutral flavour, may be boiled or roasted to eat as a snack, or ground into flour for use in baking, puddings and candies, or mixed into dishes such as the sticky rice dumpling known as bajang, and in desserts, like the custardy Thai ...

Who should avoid lotus root? ›

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if lotus is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use. Surgery: Lotus might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery.

Does Lotus stem taste good? ›

If you haven't eaten lotus stem – and I am always surprised, having grown up in South East Asia where they are commonly found, by how many people haven't – it is similar in taste to the crunchy, raw water chestnut.

What does the stem of lotus plant do? ›

The lotus plants have hollow and spongy stem filled with air. This makes them light and helps them to float on water.

What is Lotus stem in food? ›

Lotus stem also known as lotus root it is a root vegetable from India and china, used widely in Indian, Chinese and Japanese food. They are the edible parts of the lotus flower which is found under water. It is usually crunchy and is fairly sweet and has a flavour like water chestnut.

What is the taste of Lotus stem? ›

Lotus root has a mildly sweet flavor and tastes quite like a water chestnut. This edible stem has a crunchy and crispy texture. Some people also categorize this vegetable as a chewy potato when boiled or steamed.

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