How to tell if lotus root is spoilt

In this brief article, we will go through ways of telling if the lotus root is spoiled. This article will also shed light on the benefits of lotus root and how to store it properly.

How to tell if the lotus root is spoiled?

You can tell if the lotus root is spoiled if it has a wrinkly texture, discoloration of the flesh, a sour taste and will also be shriveled with spots on its skin. 

When lotus root goes bad, it usually shrivels and there are many wrinkles on its surface which also mean that the lotus root is very old. Here are some of the ways you can tell that lotus root is spoiled and must be discarded.

Texture gone bad

Lotus root is a white and light pink cylindrical stem that has holes inside when cut into slices. Spoiled lotus root’s light pink turns into a very dark pink and consuming dark pink lotus roots will compromise your digestive system health. 

The color change is followed by a very squishy exterior as compared to the hard tough one along with lines and lumpy surface. 

Sour Taste

Taste change due to poor storage or because it is simply not fresh anymore leads to a sour taste that will be very sharp on your taste buds. 

Shelf life of lotus root

If you are buying fresh lotus root, use it within a week for maximum freshness and rich taste. You can also pre-peel the root to store it, separate the root and store the flesh in equal parts of water and vinegar. This will prevent discoloration of the flesh. 

Look for lotus roots which have a heavy weight and a tough texture that also appears to be plump and juicy. This will help the root from spoilage. As it ages, the exterior darkens which is not an indicator that it is spoiled.

How to store lotus root slices

Slices should be placed in an airtight container and kept inside a fridge, this will make them good to be used for about 20 days. Storing lotus root slices is beneficial if they are meant to be used after a few weeks.

As for the lotus roots that are bought from a store, there is a manufactured date and a best-by date which is enough to know how long the roots will stay fresh for!

How to clean lotus root

As it is a root, it will have a lot of dirt on it. Therefore, let the vegetable sit in cold water for 15 to 20 minutes before peeling the skin off. Cut medium thin slices at an angle and place them in water which also contains vinegar.

Spraying water on raw vegetable

Spraying water on raw lotus root after afew days has beneficial effects and keeps the root fresh before cooking it. Freezing lotus root is also another way of prolonging the shelf-life upto 6 months. Place them outside for an hour to defrost the root before cooking it.

Freezing lotus root can limit cooking options though, because of the creation of ice crystals which then turn into vapors after the vegetable has defrosted. This is why the store-bought lotus roots come already cut and preserved to be used directly for cooking. 

Benefits of Lotus root

Lotus root is a famous vegetable in Asian countries used in foods to boost immunity and is also good for the heart. Potassium in this root helps regulate the blood pressure while the high amount of dietary fibres boost digestion, targeting bowel diseases. 

Apart from the heart and digestive system, this root is also beneficial for mental health as it is proven to reduce stress and increase the production of hormones that calm neurons as it is packed with vitamin B complex. 

Due to its numerous benefits, it is important to store the root properly which will reduce the chances of it going bad. Here are some of the ways you can make sure that this vegetable is stored properly.

Keep away from sunlight

Direct sunlight will make this vegetable sensitive and might lead to a very soft texture that feels mushy to touch. Even though this vegetable is grown in summers, they need to be placed in a cool and dry place.

Recipes lotus root is used in

Lotus root has such a flexible texture and taste that it can be adjusted into a salad and can also be stir fried with other vegetables. Just like potato fries, this root can also be cut into chips and used for garnish. It will taste great if consumed raw too with or without a dressing. The holes in lotus root help to keep the flavor or sauce used in the vegetable. 

Conclusion

In this brief article, we went through ways of telling if the lotus root is spoiled. This article also shed light on the benefits of lotus root and how to store it properly.

References 

https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/6-lotus-root-kamal-kakdi-benefits-from-weight-loss-to-reducing-stress-and-more-1755346
https://www.leaf.tv/articles/vegetables-that-look-like-celery/
https://askinglot.com/how-do-you-know-if-lotus-root-is-bad

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