I was out over by Yangpyeong by namhanggang river and I was lucky to take in the beauty of a lotus pond in full bloom. It was a breathtaking view as I was able to see brilliant pink and yellow lotus blossoms open up to reveal their seeds which look like an infinite number of eyes. The wide leaves of the flowers in the morning will collect the morning dew which looks like the purest water in the world. To see a lotus garden in bloom is an awakening experience and it is easy to see why the flower is so revered.

The lotus flower is an important flower in Buddhism and many paintings, texts, poems, and allegories have been made about the flower. The small seed grows in a muddy swamp and makes the water inhabitable for many different creatures. The flower can endure any number of hardships such as a frosting winter, a drought, or suffocating heat and resurrect itself year after year. These remarkable flowers can live for over 1000 years and can be resurrected even if they have been stored. In 1994, a seed from a sacred lotus that was 1300 years was successfully regrown.

The entire plant: flowers, seeds, leaves, and roots are edible. In Korea the flower is often made into tea. And the tea can cost in the upwards of 100 dollars for the whole leaf. The leaves are often used to wrap around rice and then steamed. This is considered to be a very special rice. The roots are prepared in a number of different ways such as raw in salads, deep-fried, stir-fried, and braised. My favorite way to eat them is in Yeongun bokkum: candied lotus. The lotus roots are sliced laterally so you can see the many holes that run through the root. The root is stir-fried with a soy-sauce, sugar and honey mixture which candies the roots and adds a humble sweetness. It's a special treat to have this as a side dish at a meal.

Lotus is a very healthy food. It is low in calories. For a 90 gram serving, it has about 59 calories. It has lots of dietary fiber and even a little bit of protein at 2%. It is full of vitamin C, Iron and Vitamin B-6. Overseas, it has become a popular additive to juices and energy drinks because of its nutrition.
Next time you are in the grocery market, I suggest you pick up this mysterious root. It could be a great addition to your dinner.