When do fresh lotus seeds mature for harvest, and what should you pay attention to when eating them?

Lotus seeds are the dried mature seeds of the lotus, an aquatic plant. They can be peeled and eaten directly, or used in stews and congee.So when do fresh lotus seeds mature for harvest? What should you pay attention to when eating them?

When do fresh lotus seeds mature for harvest?

Fresh lotus seed pods generally begin to loosen and mature in July and August. Harvesting and marketing usually start around mid-July, and by around the end of August they begin to age, so they are at their most tender and fresh when the pods first come on the market, and the freshly picked ones are the sweetest and most tender.

Of course, because of differences in growing regions, weather, varieties and so on, the time when lotus seeds mature and reach the market each year will vary slightly, so you should go by the actual situation.

What should you pay attention to when eating fresh lotus seeds?

1. People with a cold constitution should not eat too many lotus seeds

Lotus seeds are cool in nature, so people with a weak and cold constitution or a cold spleen and stomach should not eat many lotus seeds, and especially should not drink lotus seed plumule (the green heart) tea, otherwise it will worsen the symptoms of a cold constitution and cause physical discomfort.

2. Lotus seed plumule should not be eaten together with crab or turtle

Eating lotus seeds together with crab or turtle can easily cause adverse reactions, such as nausea and vomiting, and in severe cases may cause poisoning. In addition, people with colds, constipation or hemorrhoids are also advised not to eat lotus seeds, as it is bad for their health.

3. Remove the lotus seed plumule before eating

The lotus seed plumule tastes slightly bitter, and eating too much of it carries a risk of poisoning. For safety's sake, it is recommended to remove the plumule before eating lotus seeds. After removing it, you can steep it in water to drink, which has the effect of reducing internal heat.

4. Lotus seeds do not need to be soaked

When eating lotus seeds, they generally do not need to be soaked; after washing, they can be put straight into the pot, because soaking will lengthen the cooking time needed to soften them, and the longer they soak, the harder they are to cook soft.

5. Storing lotus seeds requires the right method

Fresh lotus seeds are rather hard to keep; a fairly effective method is to put them in the refrigerator, but they should not be stored for too long. A better method is to dry the fresh lotus seeds, which helps with long-term storage.

The above is an introduction to the maturity time of lotus seeds and the points to note when eating them; you can use it as a reference.