How much does gorgon nut cost per jin? Six major differences between it and lotus seeds

Gorgon nut, also known as chicken-head rice, is a common aquatic plant found in ponds and lakes, and is widely eaten because of its effects in tonifying the spleen and removing dampness. Many people like to use it to make congee, so how much does gorgon nut cost per jin? What is the difference between it and lotus seeds?

1. Introduction to gorgon nut:

1. What is gorgon nut?

Gorgon nut is the dried mature seed of the water lily family plant Euryale ferox, also known as chicken-head rice. It is cultivated in Guangdong, Yunnan and other places in China, and can not only remove dampness, but also tonify the kidney and spleen.

2. Where is gorgon nut produced?

There are many production areas for gorgon nut, and it is cultivated in all provinces north and south in China. Among them, Yunnan, Guangdong and Heilongjiang have the most cultivation, and Yugan County, Shangrao City, Jiangxi has the largest planting area, with the title of “Hometown of Chinese Gorgon Nut”.

2. How much does gorgon nut cost per jin?

The market price of gorgon nut varies, generally around 50 to 80 yuan per jin, but the price differs depending on the variety, size grade, market and selling time.

1. Approximate price of fresh gorgon nut: whole-kernel gorgon nut costs about 58 to 60 yuan per jin on the market, two-piece gorgon nut costs about 48 to 49 yuan per jin, four-piece gorgon nut costs about 35 to 37 yuan per jin, and broken-rice gorgon nut costs about 19 to 20 yuan per jin.

2. Approximate price of dried gorgon nut: dried gorgon nut costs about 50 to 80 yuan per jin on the market, and high-quality dried gorgon nut costs more than 100 yuan per jin on the market, so the specific price still needs to be checked at the local market.

Generally, what is sold on the market is dried gorgon nut, and it can usually be bought in pharmacies or markets, so you can check several pharmacies for the specific price.

3. What is the difference between gorgon nut and lotus seeds?

Difference 1, different family and genus: gorgon nut is the mature dried seed of Euryale ferox, an annual aquatic herb in the water lily family, genus Euryale; lotus seed is the mature dried seed of lotus, a perennial aquatic plant in the water lily family, genus Nelumbo.

Difference 2, different appearance: gorgon nut leaves are elliptical kidney-shaped to round, lying flat on the water surface, with no thorns on the petiole or either side of the leaf, and the leaf surface is uneven. It generally blooms from July to August and bears fruit from August to September. The flower it opens looks like a lotus flower, with petals in purplish-red oblong-lanceolate or lanceolate shape, only dark green on the outside and purple on the inside, and the fruit it bears is black and spherical; lotus seeds are elliptical or spherical, hard on the outside, red-brown or yellow-brown on the surface, with a hole in the middle, and some still have the lotus seed core.

Difference 3, different ripening time: gorgon nut generally blooms in late summer and early autumn and is picked in late autumn and early winter; lotus generally blooms in summer and bears fruit for harvest in autumn.

Difference 4, different growing environment: gorgon nut mainly grows in the northern region, and is more common in Heilongjiang, Anhui, Shandong and Jiangsu; lotus mainly grows in the southern region, and is more common in Fujian, Jiangsu, Hunan, Yunnan and other places.

Difference 5, different effects: gorgon nut has the effects of tonifying the spleen, tonifying the stomach, delaying aging and removing dampness; lotus seed has the effects of calming the nerves, improving eyesight and strengthening the stomach.

Difference 6, different ways of eating: gorgon nut can be eaten raw, or dried and stir-fried before eating; lotus seed can be eaten raw, cooked in congee and so on, but most are eaten raw.

Overall, gorgon nut market prices range from expensive to cheap, depending on which type you buy, so when purchasing, try to check the local market. In addition, although gorgon nut looks like lotus seed, the two have certain differences in appearance, ways of eating and effects, so pay attention when purchasing.