Euryale Ferox (or Fox Nuts)
31 December 2008
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Ingredient Name: Euryale Ferox, Fox Nuts, Foxnuts, Makhana, or Gorgon Plant
Traditional Chinese Name: 芡實 (qiàn shí )
What is this?
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The white starchy seeds are produced from a flowering plant in the water lily family
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The plant grows in water, with large, round leaves and purple flowers
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Each flower pod contains around 8-12 seeds and grow in either hot, dry weather or cold winters
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Euryale seeds are dry and powdery, round seeds, usually cut in half and chalky white on the inside, with a brown outer covering
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The seeds can be eaten raw or cooked
How do I prepare it?
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You MUST wash and soak the seeds prior to usage (this is because sulphur is used to process the seeds)
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Since the seeds are relatively hard, some will soak it overnight
Where can I buy this?
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You can purchase lotus seeds from either Asian supermarkets in packages, or from speciality stores in bulk
What is the cost?
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A bag is relatively affordable, coming in at around $2.00 CAD / bag
Any benefits?
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The euryale ferox is said to strengthen male potency and retard aging
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It is a good source of starch containing healthy amounts of calcium, phosphorus, iron and potassium
Any precautions?
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It is recommend that you soak and was the seeds thoroughly as they contain traces of sulphur used during processing
My mom uses this seed very often in soups. It is also a staple Chinese kitchen item to have in your kitchen.
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I was in the local Asian Grocer this week and I saw fox nuts there. I was really interested in them. I asked the woman behind the counter what they were used for, since I’d never seen them before. She mentioned that they were a chinese medicine. I asked how they were cooked, she said they were made into a soup with chicken, dates, and lotus seeds. I was wondering what kind of quantities of these would be used in a soup, and if there were any other seasonings? Since I would really like to try this out, the fox nuts looked so interesting:)
Many thanks for any assistance you can offer.
Hi Lisa,
True about the seeds in combination with a few other Chinese herbs (most common are dates, lotus seeds) with chicken. All to be used (if you’re making a 2-3 L soup) about 15-20 seeds is sufficient. No seasoning required, but you can also add Chinese Yam (both fresh or dried), dried longan meat, and definitely wolfberries. Try this recipe: http://www.thechinesesouplady.com/sea-snail-chicken-soup/
Another recipe in which you can use these seeds are: http://www.thechinesesouplady.com/pork-bone-with-watercress-soup/
In general, don’t use too many of any herbs – a handful is sufficient. And because these are processed in sulphur, wash and rinse a few times and soak if necessary to remove any residue. Hope this helps.
Lisa
[...] Tears) 10-12 dried longans 1 dried lily bulb 1 tablespoon of dried lotus seeds 1 tablespoon of fox seeds 4-5 pieces of snow fungus (optional) 1 pound of fresh pork shank (optional) 2-3 fresh fuzzy melons [...]
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