As a kid my mother use to feed me fox nuts which I hated as it was tasteless. Then few years ago someone I know introduced me to it all over again and nothing had changed. I still hated and wondered why do people eat it, what do they like about it?
Thankfully, my mom had a way to get me eat fox nuts. She roasted the nuts and tempered it with some condiments and spices and there it was the new version of the healthiest popcorn. Crunchy, yummy and the best tea time snacks.
Fox nuts are lotus flower’s seed. It is grown in water and is largely found in India and know as ‘Makhana’ here. Also found in Korea, Japan and Russia and known as ‘Gorgon Nut’ there. It is also known as Euryale Ferox. This is an Asian water plant and is mainly cultivated for its edible seeds which look like popcorn.
It is highly nutritious food that has been used as a snack all over and also used in different recipes especially in Indian cuisines. It can be had in the roasted or fried form. It can be stored for a longer time if kept in air tight containers. Chinese use it as a part of medicines as it has various medicinal properties too. They use to strengthen spleen and kidneys.
Fox nut and its beneficial attributes:
- Fox Nuts are considered superior to dry fruits such as almonds, walnut, cashew nut and coconut in terms o sugar, protein, ascorbic acid and phenol content
- It is high on anti oxidant and thus acts an anti-aging food, helping in preventing white hair, wrinkles, premature ageing etc.
- It is high in fiber and so helps to avoid constipation. They help the body to flush out the waste and thus prevent the accumulation of toxins
- It is also an aphrodisiac, thus helping in fertility issues like premature ejaculation, increasing the quality of semen and also helps women in overcoming infertility.
- These nuts are low on saturated fats and Sodium and high on Magnesium, Potassium and helps in controlling high blood pressure and diabetes too.
- It helps in controlling palpitation and insomnia as it has calming properties
- It helps in reliving arthritis- numbness and pain in joints
- As it is has astringent properties it also helps cure diarrhea and have better appetite.
- It strengthens the body and reduces burning sensation and quenches thirst.
- These nuts are a type of seed that could be included in the daily cereals or soup to maintain good health. Since it has good amount of protein it is considered apt snack for vegetarians. But, because it is neutral in taste, usually no one prefers to eat it raw.
Here is a my mother’s simple recipe to make it more tastier
1) Heat 2 tspn of homemade ghee in a pan.
2) Add salt and turmeric and stir it for some time. You can even add red chilies, curry leaves and mustard seeds to it.
3) Add Fox nuts to it and roast for some time.
Best snack with your tea/ coffee or in between snack.
It is even eaten as a fasting food in India as it considered a very pious. And, is also used to worship God.
Apart from eating it as a snack or in your breakfast cereal it can also be added to a sweet dish or a vegetable curry or in Rice preparation.
Are lotus seeds same as euryale ferox [fox nut]? Because both are from a different genus but are called makahana in Hindi.
yes both are same.
Lotus seeds are not makhanas and so far as I know, are not called makhanas colloquially . I do not know how the food bloggers equate makhana with lotus seed.
I absolutely love Makhana. I too, like you, did not like them too much without added flavors. But then my mom started adding it to smoothies, and serving it for breakfast in my milk instead of store-bought cereal (which is high in sugars). This changed the way I eat. They are a very beneficial ingredient and as you mentioned, can be made salty as a tea time snack, into a kheer (Indian dessert – custard) or just used as cereal in milk in lieu of store-bought cereal!
Hi,
I was looking for the benefit of eating Makhana and bump here…good article.
as a child and grown up I always enjoyed munching Makhana, now giving it to my 11 months old angel and Mash Allah!she loves it too…we do make kheer using this seed and also have it roasted in to ghee and later sprinkle pepper and salt.
Well I guess I’m the only one that actually likes to eat it raw instead of cooked hmmm
Oh! Yes they are more healthier than cereals.
Do you have any other cooking method to enhance its flavor and aroma?
Love this. thanks for the recipe and the cereal idea,
are they good against ‘iron deficiency anaemia’?
Hi Mitali…is it good for babies and toddlers? I used to dry roast foxnuts then grind it to powder form. While feeding it mixed the powder with water n added little ghee. I hope that grinding foxnuts doesn’t change its nutritional value? Looking for your reply.
This is a very important information.
I love these roasted makhanas and I can’t seem to stop once i pop one in my mouth . Addictive but guilt free . Just want to know how much of these is too much ?
I also love eating makhanas.. I roast them in salt like road side halkers roast peanuts and popcorns in a big karahi in salt..Very nice knowledgeable article.. In Delhi different types of masala wala Makhanas are on sale…
Thanks you. However, I found it curious you hated the foxnuts your mother gave you and then you give us your mother’s recipe.
Very smooth blog post . I surely love this site . Continue the good work!
Thanks for the valuable information. I would likee to share more information.
Although lotus seeds as a part of one’s diet might seem surprising for many, it is one of the healthiest foods to consume, especially if you are expecting a baby. This seed is extracted from the middle portion of the lotus flower. It is eaten mainly in south and south-east Asia. It is packed with lots of nutrients, namely calcium, phosphorus, iron, manganese, potassium, vitamin B-complexes, amino acids, and lots of antioxidants. These seeds are eaten as ingredients in soups, curries, or are simply deep fried or baked to be eaten as snacks, just like popcorn!
https://parentinghealthybabies.com/health-benefits-of-lotus-seeds-for-pregnant-moms/
R makhanas hot or cold in nature….can they b given to pregnant women
We had been regularly consuming fox nuts since many years , but roasting it would take a long time to make it crisp. The new way to cook , we found out , is in the air fryer with little oil and salt ,
Air fry it for 14 to 15 minutes at 180 degree. We are extemely happy about this new way of cooking and the comsumption has gone up by many many more times something like more than a kilo in a month.
MUST TRY.
this is a great article about fox nuts. I wanted to know one more thing does it has any other nutritional value which is good for muscle building for sports.
Makhana for sure is not lotus seed.
Makhana and lotus both grow in water.
While lotus leaves and stem and the underwater fruit cluster have a smooth texture, the underside of makhana leaves its stem and fruit cluster have numerous spines or spikes which can be very painful if you prick yourself.
A cursory google search will reveal that makhana and lotus are two different things.
How much carbs are in 100gms of Foxnut. .
To avail its its health benfits how much should be consumed everyday
Lotus & Lillly both are of aquatic origin and same family.
Lotus has bigger flower and its seeds are outside water over a stem shoot.
Lilly has its fruit below water level.
It’s easy to roast in microwave with little ghee or oil ( I use olive) and necessary herbs or just salt, little turmeric and chilli powder optional. Roast for about 1.30 minutes. That’s all!!