Lotus Flower Pod

Emma: Not a problem. Its not really that expensive I think. (correct me if I'm wrong please) But good quality seeds can sometimes command a very good price in the market. Harvesting and processing the seeds are really time consuming and labor intensive. Upon harvest (usually before the pods have fully mature), the seeds have to be de-shelled and de-membraned. After that, the germ (part of the seed that grows into a plant) of each seeds will be removed using a fine needles. This is done because that part is very bitter though sometimes you can still have that bitter aftertaste in a seed or two. Its much more difficult when the pods are harvested dry because the seeds will develop a hard shell that needs to be cracked open.

Emma: Yes, lotus seeds are edible and are a common feature in East Asian Cuisine. Here in Taiwan, the seeds are utilize in a variety of ways. It can be ground to a paste and used in Chinese pastries or deserts as a filling or as texture enhancer. It can also be cooked in sugar and put in douhua (a kind of soybean pudding) as a sweet toppings.

Thank you Karen and Misako.

Hi Emma! I've already added these pictures to the "Seed and Seed Pods Mission". Thank you so much.