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Chinese
A green jade beehive, a peak of white jade,
Plucked fresh with dew, still carrying the wind.
In a glass bowl, beneath watery pulp,
Drunkenly I chew a hundred pods of new lotus.
宋 楊萬里《Edible Lotus Seeds》
According to the fourth edition of the Taiwan Chinese Materia Medica, Lotus Seeds (蓮子, Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) are the dried mature seeds of the lotus plant from the family Nelumbonaceae. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
Characteristics and Production:
Origin: Lotus seeds are primarily produced in provinces such as Hunan, Fujian, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi. In Taiwan, they are grown in various regions, with large-scale cultivation in Taoyuan and Tainan.
Harvesting and Processing: The seeds are harvested in the fall when the lotus pods are mature. After removing the outer shell, the seeds are dried and then used.
Names and Varieties: Lotus seeds have several names due to their origin and characteristics:
蓮實 (Lotus Seeds)
蓬子 (Pongzi) due to their location inside the lotus pod
甜石蓮 (Sweet Stone Lotus) due to their sweet taste
Historical References: Lotus seeds were first recorded in the Shennong Ben Cao Jing as a superior quality item under “藕” (lotus root). The Ben Cao Gang Mu describes them as:
“Nourishing the heart and kidneys, strengthening the digestive system, consolidating vital energy, reinforcing muscles and bones, and treating chronic diarrhea.”
Physical Characteristics:
Appearance: Lotus seeds have a hard, black or black-brown shell, with no distinct rings. They are generally oval or elliptical in shape, about 1.3 to 2 cm long and 0.6 to 1.5 cm wide. The surface is dotted with light-colored spots, and the base typically has a short fruit stalk.
Inner Seed: The lotus seed itself has a reddish-brown seed coat and a thick, yellowish-white cotyledon. The center contains a green lotus heart (which is bitter), while the cotyledon has a sweet taste.
Types:
With Seed Coat: Used for medicinal purposes.
Without Seed Coat: Used for culinary purposes, often white or pale yellow, and more suitable for consumption.
Common Confusions:
苦石蓮 (Bitter Stone Lotus): This is a seed from the legume family (Caesalpinia minax Hance). It is oval with blunt ends, has a black, shiny surface with horizontal cracks, and tastes bitter. It can be confused with lotus seeds due to similar colors and names.
Distinguishing Features:
Appearance: Bitter Stone Lotus has horizontal cracks and a glossy black surface, whereas Lotus Seeds are more uniform and lack these cracks.
Taste: Bitter Stone Lotus is bitter, while Lotus Seeds have a sweet taste.
Plant Identification:
Lotus vs. Water Lily: The lotus plant has leaves that rise above the water surface, while water lilies float on the water surface. Lotus flowers have a lotus pod, whereas water lilies do not.
For more detailed information, you can visit the provided reference link: Lotus Seeds in the Taiwan Chinese Materia Medica.
Four Substances Decoction (四物湯) consists of the following main ingredients: Fu Ling (茯苓), Shan Yao (山藥), Qian Shi (芡實), and Lotus Seeds (蓮子). Here’s a detailed look:
- Ingredients:
- Fu Ling and Shan Yao have been previously discussed.
- Qian Shi and Lotus Seeds have been explained in detail in earlier information.
- Regulations and Safety:
- According to the fourth edition of the Taiwan Chinese Materia Medica, there are strict regulations regarding the content of heavy metals, sulfur dioxide, and aflatoxins in lotus seeds.
- For consumer safety, the limits for these substances are specified according to both medicinal and food standards.
- The standards ensure that when lotus seeds are used as a food ingredient or medicinal material, they meet rigorous safety requirements.
- Summary:
- The Taiwan Chinese Materia Medica enforces standards on heavy metals, sulfur dioxide, and aflatoxins to ensure safe use of lotus seeds. These standards apply to both medicinal and food contexts, allowing consumers to use these products with confidence.
For more detailed information, you can visit the provided reference link: Four Substances Decoction.
Image provided by Professor Zhang Xian-zhe, Authentic Medicinal Materials Illustrated http://en.whatsintcm.com