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Lotus Seeds
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Since my childhood growing up in Southeast Asia, I have always been fascinated by the shape and structure of the Lotus Seed Pod.
(See here and here.)
On a recent trip to Hong Kong, I saw yet another form of that lotus seed pod. It has dried up, and the top of the pod has fallen off, revealing the seeds embedded in the honeycomb structure.
My Hong Kong Travelogue
Lotus
Nelumbo nucifera
Lotus seeds or Lotus nuts are the seeds of plants in the genus Nelumbo, particularly the species Nelumbo nucifera. The seeds are of great importance to East Asian cuisine and are used extensively in traditional Chinese medicine and in Chinese desserts. The seeds are most commonly sold in the shelled and dried form. Fresh lotus seeds are relatively uncommon in the market except in areas of lotus root and seed production, where they are sometimes sold as a raw snack.
Types
Two types of dried lotus seeds can be found commercially; brown peel and white. The former is harvested when the seed head of the lotus is ripe or nearly ripe and the latter is harvested when the seed head is still fully green, but with almost fully developed seeds. White lotus seeds are de-shelled and de-membraned. The bitter tasting germ of the seed is also removed at the time of harvest using a hollow needle, though some may still remain in the seed due to production oversight. Brown peel lotus seeds are brown due to the fact that the ripened seed has adhered to its membrane. These seeds are usually cracked in half in order to remove the germ since the seeds are hard enough to make the germs' removal by needle difficult.
Dried lotus seeds past their prime oxidize to a yellow brown colour. However, this is not necessarily an indicator of freshness since sellers of dried lotus seeds may choose to bleach their products with hydrogen peroxide, sodium hydroxide, or other more toxic chemicals.
Uses
Dried lotus seeds that are sold in packages or in bulk at many Asian markets must first be soaked in water overnight prior to use due to their hardness and toughness. They can then be added directly to soups and congee, or used in other dishes.
Fresh lotus seeds are sold in the seed heads of the plant and eaten by breaking the individual seeds out of cone shaped head. The soft rubbery shell that surrounds each seed should be removed before consuming.
Crystallized lotus seeds, made by drying lotus seeds cooked in syrup, are a well-loved Chinese snack and are eaten especially near Chinese New Year.
The most common use of the seed is in the form of lotus seed paste, which is used extensively in Chinese pastries. The paste is also used in Japanese cuisine, as an ingredient in cakes and other dessert items.
Chinese Medicinal Foods
When cooked in clear soups, lotus seeds are believed in Chinese medicine to "clear heat" and be particularly nutritious and restorative to one's health, which may explain the prevalence of their use in Chinese cuisine.
Source |
Evelynn, rousettus, haraprasan, jmp, marjan, jrobertop has marked this note useful
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Hi,
This is another very sharp image with great saturated color. It is sharp where it needs to be sharp and pleasantly out of focus everywhere else. Great note.
Evelynn ; )
Hello Manyee,
Simply splendid!
Nice colors, sharpness and composition.
Very interesting flower!
Congratulations!
José Roberto
- batu
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 985 W: 284 N: 3187]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(10536) - [2007-08-12 12:44]
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Hallo Manyee,
a really 3-dimensional clear view of the Lotus seeds. High sharpness and resolution as well as fine colour gradation give a superb impression.
Best wishes, Peter
Hi Manyee,
very nice shot of the interesting but beautiful flower seeds. Nice focus and details, also clear image. Coloration and composition very nice. good notes to read. TFS
well done
Ahmet
great sharpness, TFS Ori
I like this shape of flower. Like a honeycomb. You captured it with very good detail.
Sharp, Sharp, Sharp!
Nice colors and depth of field.
Hello Manyee,
very beautifull shot, this lotus is splendid and very interesting, wonderfull colors and superb composition, cheer,
many thanks for shared,
friendly,
Pat
Very fine sharp. Excellent details and lovely colours. Very nice shot.
Best wishes,
Achim
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- EOSF1
(20195)
- [2007-08-13 8:31]
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Hello Manyee ! A very unusual shot, very well seen and done. Great subject, superb background and very warm tones. Thanks !
Mario
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- jmp
(8400)
- [2007-08-13 14:31]
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Hi Manyee,
A logical fascination, as this shape is really strange and beautiful. I like it a lot too.
TFS, José M.
Hi Manyee,
A lovely composition of this beautiful lotus fruit. I have also shot some. But this seems outstanding. Thanks a lot for sharing.
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- klemmg
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 302 W: 40 N: 484]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(1719) - [2007-09-06 14:16]
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Fascinating woody/velvety textures, love the complementary colour contrast reddish/coppery tones of the seed pot with green BG!
![Gold Star Critiquer [C: 279 W: 0 N: 8]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-n.gif)
(48)![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1501 W: 8 N: 1215]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(10747)
hi Manyee, exceletn shot, first time I see lotus sead. Good, sharp shot with excelent introduction.
Marjan