Description:

Lotus seeds or lotus nuts are the seeds of plants in the genusNelumbo, particularly the species Nelumbo nucifera. The seeds areof great importance to East Asian cuisine and are used extensivelyin traditional Chinese medicine and in Chinese desserts. The seedsare most commonly sold in the shelled and dried form. Fresh lotusseeds are relatively uncommon in the market except in areas oflotus root and seed production, where they are sometimes sold as araw snack.

Lotus seeds are also very common in the northern part of Colombia,especially in cities like Barranquilla and Cartagena. Localsusually refer to lotus seeds as "martillo". Fresh lotus seeds areusually sold in street markets and are generally eaten raw by thelocals.