Nelumbo nucifera

Nelumbo nucifera is known by a number of common names, including sacred lotus, Indian lotus and sacred water-lily. This plant is an aquatic perennial, native to India and Indonesia, most commonly cultivated in water gardens. It is the National Flower of India.

Uses

The flowers, seeds, young leaves and rhizomes are all edible. In Asia, the petals are sometimes used for garnish, while the large leaves are used as a wrap for food. The rhizome is a common soup or stir-fry ingredient and is the part most commonly consumed. Petals, leaves, and rhizome can also all be eaten raw.

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The stamens can be dried and made into a fragrant herbal tea.

Related Topics:
Stamen - Herbal tea

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The seeds or nuts are quite versatile, and can be eaten raw or dried and popped like popcorn. They can also be boiled down until soft and made into a paste. Combined with sugar, lotus seed paste is a common ingredient in pastries such as mooncakes, daifuku and rice flour pudding.

Related Topics:
Popcorn - Mooncake - Daifuku - Rice - Flour - Pudding

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Various parts of the sacred lotus are also used in traditional Asian herbal medicine.

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