About Makhana 

Makhana – the global food really needs no introduction. This popular super food has travelled the globe and forms a part of daily lives of all health freaks. From the humble beginnings in the Madhubani district in the Indian state of Bihar, it is now being exported across continents to meet the rising demand.

Also known as lotus seeds, Gorgon nut with the botanical name Euryale ferox Salisb, this is an aquatic crop, belonging to the family of Nympheaceae. This commercially grown and used plant is commonly found and naturally grows in stagnant water bodies including ponds, certain land depressions, oxbow lakes, swamps and ditches. It is a plant that naturally grows and flourishes in tropical and subtropical climatic conditions.

Makhana plant or Euryale ferox Salisb is a native of South-East Asia and China, but is now distributed and exported to different parts of the world.

In the initial years of commercial production, the plant’s distribution was limited to tropical and sub-tropical regions of South-East and East Asia and other countries including in Japan, Korea, Russia, North America, Nepal, Bangladesh to name a few. In India, the makhana seeds are distributed in different states including West Bengal, Bihar, Manipur, Tripura, Assam, Jammu & Kashmir, Eastern Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. However, the commercial cultivation and processing is limited to North Bihar, Manipur, parts of West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh.

Nutritional Value of Makhana

Phool makhana or lotus seeds are crunchy, crispy, full of fiber and loaded with nutrition. No wonder it is an all-rounder snack, meal, dessert in itself. This any time food is loaded with all the right nutritional elements that is required by the human body.

 Fox nut has a low Glycemic Index(GI) , which means that is is slowly absorbed by the body and does not shoot the sugar level in human beings. Therefore, it is also helpful for people suffering for diabetes.

 High Fiber Content: High fiber acts as an absorbent and is helpful for the body , in heart management, keeping the body fit and fine.

 Low in Calories, fox nuts can be eaten on a daily basis in different forms to regulate normal body functions. It is advisable to consult a health management expert regarding that quantity that can be consumed every day.

 High in Potassium and also contains Vitamin B1, carotene, iodine, iron, and phosphorous in addition to calcium

 The natural sodium content in phool makhana is insignificant which is also helpful to manage blood pressure.

Due to its high nutrition value and also healing properties, phool makhana is used in Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for managing various diseases including weight loss, insomnia, diarrhea, kidney ailment, digestion problems, chronic inflammation managing bone and teeth health, and also host of other common ailments.

Makhana Usage as a Food Item

A couple of decades ago, makhana was primarily consumed as a food item for local and religious purposes. It formed an important part of major religious ceremonies in the Indian households. As a non-cereal food, makhana was widely used during religious fasting by various people.

In the Indian states phool makhana or lotus seeds are popularly used as a breakfast staple with milk, popped makhana seeds are used for preparing a multitude of delicious, both savory as well as sweet dishes, including pudding and milk-based sweets. Apart from being consumed as a dessert like makhana kheer, sugar coated makhanas etc., it is also used as a thickening agent in various curries for a smooth, creamy and thick gravy.

In the Indian states phool makhana or lotus seeds are popularly used as a breakfast staple with milk, popped makhana seeds are used for preparing a multitude of delicious, both savory as well as sweet dishes, including pudding and milk-based sweets. Apart from being consumed as a dessert like makhana kheer, sugar coated makhanas etc., it is also used as a thickening agent in various curries for a smooth, creamy and thick gravy.

Apart from these, Makhana is used for various medicinal purposes as well, in different parts of Asia in alternative medicine, as can be seen in various ancient literature and documents. The lotus seeds have analgesic and aphrodisiacal properties; hence it is also used in the preparations of a number of Ayurvedic medicines. Makhana is widely used for starching fabrics and its bran is also used as an input material for creating poultry feed.

Commercial Cultivation of Makhana

While decades ago, Makhana or lotus seeds were primarily cultivated and consumed by local population for consumption, but increased awareness of the goodness and also the wide health benefits of the seeds increased the commercial cultivation and production. Makhana or lotus seeds are also called as Black Diamond ; this is because it has changed the fortunes of the poor fisherman and farmers and have provided them with a stable source of income and livelihood to thousands of families engaged in the cultivation process, especially in the Indian states of Bihar and Manipur. It is now a cash crop that is marketed in the form of popped Makhana also commonly known as Makhana Lawa.