The Multitasking Lotus

Flower bicycle vendor's display of large flowers including Lotus. She/he sells straight to your door, and also parks up in the same location, so passerby and locals come to purchase. These beauties are brought in the early morning flower market (Cho Quan An - Flower Market) and sells until all are sold then she/he can bike home.
Flower bicycle vendor’s display of large flowers including Lotus. She/he sells straight to your door, and also parks up in the same location, so passerby and locals come to purchase. These beauties are brought in the early morning flower market (Cho Quan An – Flower Market) and sells until all are sold then she/he can bike home.

A symbol of peace.

For lotus lovers who travel to Hanoi in June/July/August, you used to be able to have an opportunity to see thousands of flowers blooming in giant lotus ponds around West Lake (Tay Ho, Ho Tay), by the Water Park and Sen Restaurant.  I think these have been filled in but, this is happening elsewhere as urban life takes over and farms, industries get driven out of town.

Take an early morning visit to see the lotus and the open flowers in one of the largest of these ponds (about 40 hectares in size).  About ten houses in the area still carry on the tradition of processing the lotus to make tea, I am unsure there these have been located to, but as you travel through Vietnam you may have opportunity to see these beautiful plants growing out of the mud.

Follow the path to the lotus flower processing work room, used on the wetlands beside Hồ Tây Hà Nội on Ngo 433, Au Co Road, Hanoi. The Hanoi Water Park is in the background.
Follow the path to the lotus flower processing work room, USED TO BE on the wetlands beside Hồ Tây Hà Nội on Ngo 433, Au Co Road, Hanoi. The Hanoi Water Park is in the background.
Check out these lotus ponds, just off the road, near the Water Park.
Check out these lotus ponds, just off the road, near the Water Park.

These flowers grow country-wide and are not only an exquisite flower but a plant that can multitask.

The lotus flower is stripped and all parts of the lotus are used. This is done by hand and processed in a small processing plant on the side of the wetlands where the lotus grow (Hanoi, Vietnam).
The lotus flower is stripped and all parts of the lotus are used. This is done by hand and processed in a small processing plant on the side of the wetlands where the lotus grow.

 

 

Every part of the lotus can be used including the petals, pistils, stems, leaves, seeds, roots and rootstock.

 

 

 

 

Husband and wife team run Hai Linh brand of tea shop. Make their own Lotus flower sweets, Lotus Tea (Hoa Sen) and other flower teas - used to be on 8 Hang Dieu, Hanoi in 2010.

Hai Linh brand of tea shop - Lotus flower sweets, Lotus Tea (Hoa Sen) and other flower teas - used to be on 8 Hang Dieu, Hanoi in 2010.
Hai Linh brand of tea shop – Lotus flower sweets, Lotus Tea (Hoa Sen) and other flower teas – hopefully they are still at: 8 Hang Dieu, Hanoi in 2010.

Husband and wife team run Hai Linh brand of tea shop. Make their own Lotus flower sweets, Lotus Tea (Hoa Sen) and other flower teas – used to be on 8 Hang Dieu, Hanoi in 2010.

Yummy lotus seeds coated in sugar, lovely treat with some quality lotus tea., in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Yummy lotus seeds coated in sugar, lovely treat with some quality lotus tea.

In former times lotus was an exclusive food for royalty, but now special dishes are prepared for New Year celebrations (Tet), weddings and other special occasions. And we can all enjoy lotus tea, sugar-coated seeds, rice steamed in lotus leaves, and salads.

Lotus tea’s claims to fame include helping one relax and enjoy a good night’s sleep, decreased  cholesterol, cleans the blood and helps it circulate better, and it helps us lose weight.