THAT - mysterious gift You’re a foreign teacher in a small town in China. Your students (or their parents) being genuinely friendly bring you some snacks from time to time. You’re quite happy with that. You know that it will at least give your students a chance to practice phrases like ‘Thanks’ and ‘You’re welcome’. Maybe even encourage them to say something more in English. You’re already quite used to getting chocolates, candies, oranges or even dumplings. Sometimes however, you might get something else that will make you stare at your gift with greatest bewilderment and consternation...
Yes. Today is the day that life in China will surprise you again.
So here you are receiving your mysterious gift and absolutely clueless how to react in that kind of situation. Acting on impulse you just say “Xièxiè” [en. Thank you] and then stare at IT dully. Seriously, what you’re supposed to do with THAT?! Well, at least you know what THAT is. Lotus grows in every pond in this town. You can at least recognize its hmm... fruit I guess.
Luckily one of your colleagues spots your consternation and rushes to help you solve the mystery. She explains that it is kind of a snack and shows you how to eat it:
How does it taste? I guess it reminds the taste of walnuts. But not those dried ones, that you can buy in a supermarket. It’s the taste of fresh walnuts, at the time that they were just picked from the tree and are still white inside. Lotus seeds give similar sensation (both if it comes to taste and texture). They’re just a little less sweet than walnuts. Nevertheless they make simple, interesting and healthy snack (even without the bitter sprout).
Bon appetit!
So here you are receiving your mysterious gift and absolutely clueless how to react in that kind of situation. Acting on impulse you just say “Xièxiè” [en. Thank you] and then stare at IT dully. Seriously, what you’re supposed to do with THAT?! Well, at least you know what THAT is. Lotus grows in every pond in this town. You can at least recognize its hmm... fruit I guess.
Luckily one of your colleagues spots your consternation and rushes to help you solve the mystery. She explains that it is kind of a snack and shows you how to eat it:
- Pick the seed (it looks a little bit like an acorn).
- Peel off green skin.
- Peel off thin, white skin.
- Now you can do either of two things:
- a) Eat the whole seed. Inside there is a green sprout. Old people will tell you that it is very healthy and helps for sore throat. You should however be warned that the sprout is unbelievably bitter. Unless you’re very determined to improve your health with lotus seeds choose option b.
- b) Crack the seed in half. Remove the sprout. Eat the white part of the seed.
How does it taste? I guess it reminds the taste of walnuts. But not those dried ones, that you can buy in a supermarket. It’s the taste of fresh walnuts, at the time that they were just picked from the tree and are still white inside. Lotus seeds give similar sensation (both if it comes to taste and texture). They’re just a little less sweet than walnuts. Nevertheless they make simple, interesting and healthy snack (even without the bitter sprout).
Bon appetit!
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