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 again and nothing had changed. I still hated it and wondered why do people eat it? What do they like about it?
Thankfully, my mom had a way to get me to eat fox nuts. She roasted the nuts and tempered it with some condiments and spices – it was like a new version of a healthy popcorn. Crunchy, yummy and the best tea time snack!
Fox nuts are the lotus flower’s seeds. It is grown in water and is largely found in India and know as ‘Makhana’ here. It is also found in Korea, Japan and Russia and known as ‘Gorgon Nut’ there. It is also known as Euryale Ferox.
Fox nuts are highly nutritious food that have been used as a snack all over and also used in different recipes, especially in Indian cuisines. It can be had in roasted or fried form. It can be stored for a longer time if kept in air tight containers. The Chinese use it as a part of medicines as it has various medicinal properties too. They use it to strengthen spleen and kidneys.
The Health Benefits Of Eating Fox Nuts
- Fox Nuts are considered superior to dry fruits such as almonds, walnuts, cashew nuts and coconut in terms of sugar, protein, ascorbic acid and phenol content
- It is high in antioxidants and acts as an anti-aging food, helping in preventing white hair, wrinkles, and premature ageing etc.
- Its high fiber content helps to avoid constipation. It helps the body flush out waste and prevents the accumulation of toxins in the body
- It is also an aphrodisiac, 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 as well
- Fox Nuts help in controlling palpitation and insomnia as it has calming properties
- It helps in relieving arthritis – numbness and pain in joints
- As it is has astringent properties, it also helps cure diarrhea and have a better appetite
- It strengthens the body and reduces burning sensation and quenches thirst
Here is a my mother’s simple recipe to make it more tastier!
These nuts are a type of seed that could be included in daily cereals or soup to maintain good health. Since it has good amount of protein, it is considered an apt snack for vegetarians. But, because it is neutral in taste, usually no one prefers to eat it raw. If you want to make it tastier, here’s a simple recipe my mother used to make.
- Heat 2 tspn of homemade ghee in a pan
- Add salt and turmeric and stir it for some time. You can even add red chilies, curry leaves and mustard seeds to it
- Add Fox nuts to it and roast for some time
It’s the best snack to have in between meals or with your tea or coffee. It is even eaten as a fasting food in India as it considered 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. So what are you waiting for? Add these Fox Nuts to your diet today!
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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!!
The article has a beneficiary content, which has helped me a lot in understanding, Lotus Seeds have many health benefits like’s body to function properly, there should be proper blood circulation so that the oxygen is pumped to all the blood cells. When this happens correctly, functionality and energy levels of all the vital organs can be enhanced.
I started this nuts with other ingredients like poppy seeds , sesame seeds , fennel seeds and almonds . Made powder and taking two spoonful with hot milk everyday before bed , it’s really effective . I had heel surgery in January but pain stayed there till August , dr. couldn’t do anything till I started this method , my pain is almost gone . MAKHANE ARE MAIN IN MY POWDER .
Is it useful for controlling diabetes. How much to consume
Makhana controls gas… Especially during pregnancy wen one can’t take meds, makahanas dry roasted without oil is a life savor