Tag: Gorgon nut

Over 90% of the world's makhana is produced in Bihar, India, but many people are still confused about its true origin. Often misidentified as lotus seeds, makhana is actually the popped seed of a completely different aquatic plant. This article clarifies which plant is makhana made from, exploring its journey from a thorny water lily to a popular superfood.

Over 80% of the world's makhana production comes from the Mithilanchal region in Bihar, India, and yet many are still curious about what is popping in makhana. This crunchy, air-puffed superfood snack is the popped seed of the water lily plant, but the transformation from a hard seed to an edible puff involves a highly skilled, multi-stage process of heating, tempering, and impact that bursts the internal starch.

While often marketed as popped lotus seeds or water lily seeds, the truth is botanically different and surprising. The popular Indian snack, makhana, is actually the popped kernel of the gorgon nut, derived from the *Euryale ferox* plant.

Over 90% of the world's commercial Fox Nut production comes from Bihar, India, but the regional name 'taal makhana' can actually refer to two entirely different plants. This creates a common point of confusion for those searching for the correct English name for Taal makhana, as the name can translate to either 'fox nut' (*Euryale ferox*) or 'marsh barbel' (*Asteracantha longifolia*), each with distinct uses.

Ninety percent of the world's makhana production comes from the state of Bihar in India. Despite their popular nickname 'fox nuts,' botanically, they are not nuts at all, raising a critical question for both food enthusiasts and those with nut allergies: is makhana considered a nut?.

According to botanists, makhana is a misconception often conflated with lotus seeds, when in fact, these popped kernels come from the gorgon nut plant. So, is makhana a seed of lotus? No, but this crunchy, nutritious snack still offers a range of impressive health benefits worth exploring for a balanced diet.