Eating lotus root in winter has many benefits

Lotus Root Pork Ribs Soup is a nourishing and healthy soup popular among consumers in winter

Lotus root is rich in nutrients

Taste depends on the season

Lotus root, also known as lotus root, belongs to the lotus family and is the rhizome of lotus

The carbohydrate content is high, especially the starch content, usually between 10% and 20%, which is actually a delicious lotus root starch

There is more vitamin C.

The calcium content of 100 grams of lotus root is about 40 mg.

Some people say that there is a trick to picking lotus roots: you need to be able to count the holes

There is no basis for this claim

Lotus root is the nutrient storage part of lotus during winter, and the main form of nutrient storage is starch

Generally speaking, the later the lotus root is harvested, the more starch is stored, and the more powdery the lotus root will be

According to the growing season of lotus root, the flavor of lotus root in different seasons is very different

In the early stage of growth (spring and summer), all lotus roots are crisp; in autumn and winter, the texture of lotus root begins to turn pink

food grade citric acid

Prevents lotus root from turning black

Some consumers have found that the lotus root that has been washed and cut at home is white and white, but it will turn black after a while; especially when it is fried in an iron pan, it will become more black

Is there any problem with such lotus root, can it still be eaten? It is said that lotus roots come out of the mud and are not stained, but why is it so easy to turn black in the air? In fact, don't worry, the reason why the lotus root turns black is related to the polyphenolic chemicals contained in its body

Under the action of polyphenol oxidase (PPO), polyphenols are oxidized to chemicals called "quinones", and these quinones are aggregated together to form melanin, a process called enzymatic browning

In fact, we usually see cut apples turn brown, and bananas in the refrigerator turn black because of this

There are many merchants who use citric acid to "whiten" lotus root, making it white and plump

Using citric acid to preserve lotus root is not illegal
.
The blackening of lotus root is a normal enzymatic browning reaction, and many vegetables and fruits have this phenomenon, such as apples, potatoes, bananas,
etc.
Citric acid is a weak organic acid that occurs naturally in many fruits and vegetables, such as lemons, pineapples, etc.
It just has the ability to inhibit the enzymatic browning reaction
.

In the preservation of fruits and vegetables, food-grade citric acid can be used as a processing aid or as a chemical preservative to prevent the enzymatic browning of fruits and vegetables
.
It is safe and legal to use food-grade citric acid to prevent lotus root from turning black
.

Consumers need not be afraid if they buy whitening lotus root using industrial citric acid
.
Careful cleaning and peeling of lotus roots can effectively remove harmful substances without endangering health
.
If you want to buy assured lotus root, it is best to go to regular supermarkets and markets to buy, don't be greedy for cheap
.

Lotus root has high starch content

Two groups of people need to pay attention to

Although lotus root is delicious, its starch content is relatively high, usually between 10% and 20%.
The lotus root powder extracted from it is actually delicious
.

　　From a nutritional point of view, lotus root belongs to half vegetable and half grain
.
Due to the high starch content, its calories are not low.
A small section (150 grams) of lotus root is about the same as half a bowl of rice
.

　　The following two types of people should pay attention when eating:

　　Those who are losing weight should pay attention to the replacement of food when eating lotus root.
For example, after eating lotus root, eat less other staple foods, and eat less steamed bread and rice
.

　　For friends with high blood sugar and diabetes, if they eat lotus root, they should reduce the amount of staple foods such as rice and steamed bread accordingly, so as to avoid excessive intake of starch and affect blood sugar control
.
Like sweet-scented osmanthus glutinous rice lotus root, etc.
, it is even more important to pay attention to the dosage
.
In addition, when eating lotus root, try to fry it as little as possible, and too much oil is not healthy
.

　　(Ruan Guangfeng)

　　"China Food News" (February 17, 2022 06 edition)

　　(Editor-in-charge: Qu Yuening)