Can lotus root skin be eaten?

Lotus roots grow in mud and can be eaten when the lotus flowers wither. Every year, countless lotus roots are served on the dining table. People also eat lotus roots in many ways, such as stir-frying, deep-frying, pickling, etc. Each way tastes very good. Lotus root also has a skin on the outside. If you want to eat lotus root, can you eat the skin? Let's learn about it together.

1. Should lotus root be peeled?

If the surface of the lotus root is relatively flat, you don’t need to peel it. Because lotus root skin is rich in protein and nutrients, it is good for the body. Just brush the lotus root a few times with a scouring pad to remove the mud on the surface. If the surface of the lotus root is bumpy and the skin still has a rust-like color after cleaning, you can soak the lotus root in clean water and then rub it with a wire cleaning ball. This is not only quick and thin, but can also remove the skin in the small depressions while maintaining its original complete shape, which is both white and round.

2. Precautions for eating lotus root

1. People with weak spleen and cold stomach, or those who are prone to diarrhea should not eat raw lotus root. Raw lotus root is cold in nature, and it is difficult to digest when eaten raw or served cold, which is detrimental to the spleen and stomach. Therefore, it is better to eat cooked lotus root.

2. Lotus roots that are black or have a strange smell should not be eaten. You should choose lotus roots with yellow-brown skin and thick and white flesh. Pay attention to making sure they are not damaged, rotten, or rusted, and are not broken, shrunken, or discolored.

3. It is best not to eat lotus root raw. Some lotus roots are infested with ginger worms, which can easily cause ginger worm disease. If people eat raw lotus root with metacercariae, the metacercariae will develop into adults in the small intestine. The adult worms attach to the intestinal mucosa and cause intestinal damage and ulcers, causing abdominal pain, diarrhea, and indigestion. Children may also experience symptoms such as facial edema, developmental delay, and intellectual impairment.

4. Avoid using iron utensils when cooking lotus root to prevent the lotus root from turning black during the cooking process.

5. Cut lotus root should not be stored directly. Uncut lotus roots can be kept at room temperature for a week, but because lotus roots tend to turn black and the cut parts are prone to rot, the cut lotus roots should be covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated to keep fresh for about a week.

3. How to choose lotus root

1. The lotus root nodes are thick and short: The number of lotus root nodes will not affect the quality. When purchasing, you should choose thicker and shorter lotus root nodes, which are more mature and have a better taste.

2. The distance between lotus root nodes is long: The longer the distance between lotus root nodes, the more mature the lotus root is and the softer the taste is.

3. The appearance should be full: The lotus root should be full in appearance. Do not choose lotus roots with uneven and incomplete shapes.

4. With wet soil: Lotus roots without wet soil are usually processed and cannot be preserved. Lotus roots with wet soil are easier to preserve and can be placed in a cool place for about 1 week.

5. No injuries inside or outside: When purchasing lotus roots, pay attention to whether there are obvious external injuries. If it is wrapped in wet mud, you can peel off the wet mud slightly to see it clearly when purchasing.