Lotus seed paste facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lotus seed paste |
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Mooncake with salted duck egg yolks and lotus seed paste filling.
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| Simplified Chinese | 莲蓉 |
| Traditional Chinese | 蓮蓉 |
| Literal meaning | lotus velvet |
| IPA | [li̯ɛ̌n ɻʊ̌ŋ] |
| Yale Romanization | lìhn yùhng |
| IPA | [lȉːn jȍŋ] |
| Jyutping | lin4 jung4 |
Lotus seed paste is a sweet and creamy ingredient often used in delicious Chinese desserts. It is made from dried lotus seeds. For a long time, it has been seen as a special and fancy ingredient in Chinese cooking.
Contents
Making Lotus Seed Paste
Making lotus seed paste is a bit like making other sweet pastes, such as red bean paste. The process starts with dried lotus seeds.
How the Paste is Made
First, the dried lotus seeds are cooked in water until they become very soft. After cooking, they are mashed into a fine, smooth paste. This paste is then mixed with water to make it thinner. It is then pushed through a fine strainer or squeezed through a cloth. This step helps to make the paste super smooth and remove any lumpy bits.
The result is a soft, crumbly paste. Finally, this paste is mixed with sugar or other sweet ingredients. Oil is also added to make it even smoother and sweeter.
Using Lotus Seed Paste
Lotus seed paste is a popular filling in many Chinese treats. It adds a rich, sweet flavor and a smooth texture.
Popular Chinese Desserts
In Chinese cooking, the sweetened lotus paste is often cooked again over heat. This usually happens with caramelized sugar and vegetable oil. This extra cooking gives the paste a lovely tan color and a shiny look. It also makes the paste taste richer, sweeter, and feel silky smooth. Sometimes, it even has a light caramel smell.
Lotus paste is a key ingredient in many well-known Chinese foods. It is often used as a filling for mooncakes, especially during the Mid-Autumn Festival. It also fills sweet steamed buns called baozi and other pastries. Another common use is in lotus seed buns, which are a popular item in dim sum restaurants.
Different Kinds of Paste
Because lotus seeds can be a bit expensive, some lotus pastes you buy might also contain white kidney bean paste. This helps to make the paste more affordable. You can find different kinds of lotus paste. Some are darker, almost black, and usually have a deeper, stronger flavor.
See also
In Spanish: Pasta de semilla de loto para niños
