Water lily seeds have been a traditional snack for centuries In India, wher it’s called as ‘Makhana.’ They are usually flavoured with ghee and spices, and can even be added to curries. During the Hindu festival Navratri, makhana is one of the foods that is consumed during fasting periods.

Makhana, or popped water lily seeds, have been eaten on the Indian subcontinent as a nutritious snack for thousands of years. Now, thanks to entrepreneurs that these little pearls of healthy, sustainable goodness have hit the market. A number of businesses have sprung up to bring puffed water lily seeds to the US, wher the low-calorie snack is perfectly positioned as an alternative to the potato chip.

The texture of the unseasoned popped seed is crunchy yet airy. The first bite is a crunch but then it dissolves in the mouth easily. The taste of them unseasoned is earthy, but the seed itself does not have a particularly strong taste, making it an amazing vehicle for added spices and flavours.

These cheese-puff-looking morsels have been a traditional treat in India for centuries, but now they are taking off in the West. It’s even flagged as one of the big food trends of 2019. 

The crunch is satisfying, each 110-calorie serving provides three gram of protein and at no point are you subjected to artificial flavours, colours or additives. Popped lilly seeds could easily be the new, non-GMO, totally sustainable TV-binging snack you never knew you were missing. 

Confused with lotus seeds
Often confused with lotus seeds, water lily seeds are actually drawn from the Euryale Ferox species, which floats in ponds across large swathes of Asia. In the spring, the lilies open their distinctive purple flowers, and the seeds usually form by August. Traditionally, they are scooped up from the water, then sun-dried and roasted on a wood fire until the black shells pop open popcorn-like to reveal a white puff.

A little background information - the water lily is an heirloom plant that sheds its seeds once a year. The small pea-sized kernels are collected for cultivation, and expand to the size of large blueberries when puffed under high pressure, revealing a snowy-white interior lightly speckled with its former seed coat. 

The water lily and lotus are separate plants, but are confused for each other because of their similarity in the way they look and wher they are grown. Even in India, people confuse them due to the error in translation of the plant’s name from Hindi to English. There are several brands in India and in the US that still wrongly describe the product as ‘lotus seeds.’

The major difference between these seeds is that they come from different plants. wheras water lily seeds belong to the Euryale Ferox plant species and come from the prickly water lily plant grown in the north east of India, lotus seeds come from an entirely different plant species - Nelumbo Nucifera.

The seeds also hold different cultural significance. Lotus seeds are commonly used in Chinese cooking and as traditional medicine. Water lily seeds have been eaten in India for centuries. They are the most prescribed seeds in Ayurveda, making them the ultimate Ayurvedic superfood. Whether you have vata, pitta or kapha, these seeds are beneficial to all body types.

The seeds are widely sourced from Bihar. Companies use differentiated model wherin they source directly from the farmers, cutting out the middle-men. The cultivation of lily seeds does not destroy the eco-system — the whole cycle is sustainable, seasonal and naturally occurring.

The puffing process
The seeds are puffed mechanically through a machine that can be divided into two parts, the roasting unit, and the popping unit. The roasting unit is essentially a thermal heating system with a conveyor mechanism to pass the roasted seed towards the outlet. The popping unit hosts an impeller which breaks down the hard shell by applying pressure, making the roasted seed pop. 

In India, the seeds are eaten mainly in their popped form as a snack. Families buy the popped seeds from the market and roast them on the stove-top with ghee, salt and Indian spices. Increasingly now, there are many ready-to-eat flavoured versions that have been introduced in the market. 

The popped seeds can be eaten in several other ways, by grinding the popped seed into flour and using it as an ingredient in bread, porridge and desserts. The popped seed can also be used in curries as a vegetable.

As such water lily plant parts’ health benefits have not been extensively researched, however several studies have suggested potential medicinal uses for this aquatic plant, such as:

Regulating insulin levels: Water lily extracts have been shown to keep the levels of insulin in the body stable, preventing blood sugar fluctuations.

Promoting liver health: Water lily has been shown to prevent potential liver damage, also promoting the regeneration of this important organ.

Water lily properties have been compared with those of hydrocortisone, as the plant has been suggested equally useful for relieving pain caused by swelling.

Recommended by the ancient Indian holistic healing science called Ayurveda, this delicious plant-based puffed superfood has a light and crunchy puff texture.

Water lily benefits – Good and comforting for mind and heart; – coolant;  – removes blood impurity and vitiation disorders such as acne, skin disease and bleeding disorders; – reduces burning sensation, as in gastritis, neuropathy, burning sensation in eyes; – reduces tiredness, fatigue; useful to improve mood and treat depression.

Puffed water lily has a high amino acid index and low glycemic index. They are a paleo-friendly snack, and there are plenty of vegan and gluten-free options available. And a one-ounce serving of water lily seeds — around 60 popped kernels — has just 120 calories. It also contains 3 gram of protein and 4 gram of fat. It’s a good source of magnesium. However it’s non-GMO, vegan and gluten-free.

Water lily can be a popular plant for those looking to start a water garden. Growing water lilies can require a little extra care because they are grown in water instead of on land, but their beautiful blooms are worth the extra effort.

Water lily cultivation quick facts
Life cycle - Perennial; Harvested parts - Roots, rhizome; Light requirements - Full sun, partial shade; Soil - Clay loam, flooded; Soil pH6.6 – 7.3 (Neutral); Growing habitat - Everywher except tundra; Planting time - Early spring, spring; Plant spacing average 0.3 m (0.98 ft);
Propagation techniques - Cuttings; Potential insect pests - Aphids, Beetles, Moths, Leafminers;
Potential diseases - Crown rot, Fungi.