Lotus seeds are a common traditional Chinese medicine, known for their ability to nourish the kidneys, strengthen the essence, and calm the mind. Lotus seed hearts have a good effect in clearing away heat and reducing irritability, which is why many people enjoy eating lotus seeds in the summer. How long should lotus seeds be cooked for making porridge? What can lotus seeds be cooked with to make porridge?
How long to cook lotus seeds for porridge
It depends on the situation.
Fresh lotus seeds
Fresh lotus seeds have a tender texture and a sweet taste. Generally, they only need to be cooked for about 30 minutes. Fresh lotus seeds are rich in various vitamins and amino acids, and have the effects of nourishing the kidneys, calming the mind, and clearing the heart. They are suitable for people who are anxious and have insomnia, palpitations, and forgetfulness, as well as those with cloudy white discharge. However, it is important not to cook the porridge for too long to avoid destroying its nutritional value.
Dried lotus seeds
Dried lotus seeds are usually used as medicinal herbs and have undergone processing, resulting in a hard texture. Therefore, they need to be cooked for a longer time, usually about 1-2 hours. If using a pressure cooker or rice cooker, lotus seed porridge can be cooked in about 30-40 minutes. Cooking porridge with dried lotus seeds has the effects of nourishing the kidneys, strengthening essence, astringing the intestines, stopping excessive vaginal discharge, clearing the heart, and calming the mind, which can nourish the body.
How much lotus seeds to use for porridge
10-15 grams is recommended.
Lotus seeds contain various alkaloids, which have the functions of strengthening the heart, calming the nerves, and lowering blood pressure. Traditional Chinese medicine records state that lotus seeds can nourish the heart, calm the mind, nourish the kidneys, and strengthen the essence. Regular consumption can enhance immunity, anti-aging, and beautify the skin. The recommended amount of lotus seeds is 10-15 grams, and excessive consumption should be avoided to prevent discomfort.
Do lotus seeds need to be soaked before cooking porridge
Dried lotus seeds need to be soaked.
If using fresh lotus seeds to cook porridge, there is no need to soak them as they have a tender texture and can be directly cooked after being cleaned. However, dried lotus seeds have a harder texture, so soaking them for a period of time makes them easier to cook and can also shorten the cooking time for the porridge.
Who should not drink lotus seed porridge
1. Those with dry and hard stools
Lotus seeds have the effect of astringing the intestines, which may worsen constipation symptoms in those with dry and hard stools.
2. Those with abdominal distension
Lotus seeds have a contracting and astringing effect, which may cause discomfort in those with abdominal distension.
What can lotus seeds be cooked with to make porridge
Lotus Seed and Coix Seed Porridge
Ingredients
100g lotus seeds (without hearts), 100g coix seeds, 50g fresh lotus leaves, 50g glutinous rice.
Instructions
1. Wash the glutinous rice and coix seeds, soak them in cold water for 2-3 hours, then remove and drain.
2. Wash the lotus seeds, soak them in cold water until softened, then remove the hearts.
3. Add about 2000ml of cold water to a pot, add the lotus seeds, coix seeds, and glutinous rice, and bring to a boil over high heat.
4. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the porridge is cooked. Add rock sugar to taste, and let it simmer for a while before serving.
Lotus Seed and Red Date Porridge
Ingredients
15g lotus seeds, 10 red dates, rice (as needed), wolfberries, sugar (as needed).
Instructions
1. Remove the hearts from the lotus seeds, remove the cores from the red dates, and wash the wolfberries. Soak them all in warm water for 1 hour.
2. Pour boiling water into an electric rice cooker, add rice, lotus seeds, red dates, and wolfberries.
3. Cook until the rice is soft and tender, then add sugar to taste.
Lotus Seed and Lily Porridge
Ingredients
150g rice, 25g dried lily bulbs, 25g lotus seeds, 2 wolfberries, 30g rock sugar.
Instructions
1. Crush the dried lily bulbs into powder, soak the lotus seeds in hot water until softened.
2. Soak the wolfberries in hot water for a while, wash the rice, and soak it in cold water for half an hour.
3. Add water to a pot, add rice and dried lily bulbs, and bring to a boil.
4. Add the lotus seeds and simmer over medium heat until cooked. Finally, add rock sugar and serve.
