We love these shiny orange, cheese-powder-coated puffed-corn snacks as a lot as the subsequent particular person, however let’s face it — they’re not precisely the healthiest option to fulfill these salty snack cravings.
That’s why we’re so intrigued by puffed water lily seeds, which might pack the identical yummy, tacky crunch in a much-less-processed bundle.
Right here’s what you must find out about this new snack pattern.
What Are Water Lily Seeds?
You could not have heard of water lily seeds earlier than, however they’re about to take over the snack aisle at your grocery retailer.
Often known as Makhana, puffed water lily seeds come from the Euryale ferox plant, a sort of water lily.
Present in ponds all through Asia, these seeds begin out as pea-sized kernels that are harvested and “popped.”
The end result: a puffed snack that packs a crunch that rivals Cheetos, popcorn, and potato chips.
Plain water lily seeds have a gentle, earthy taste — however they are often seasoned for a savory, spicy, or tacky snack.
Are Water Lily Seed Snacks Truly Wholesome?
Puffed water lily have a excessive amino acid index and low glycemic index.
They’re a paleo-friendly snack, and there are many vegan and gluten-free choices obtainable (it varies, although, so you need to at all times double-check the label).
And a one-ounce serving of Bohana Wild White Cheddar water lily seeds — round 60 popped kernels — has simply 120 energy. It additionally incorporates three grams of protein and 4 grams of fats.
“I’m amazed at how low fats they’re for being a seed,” says Maleah Staton, RD.
As with all snack, you continue to want to observe your parts — however at 60 puffed seeds per serving, it may be a bit simpler to keep away from mindlessly doubling or tripling the beneficial serving measurement the way in which you would possibly with a bag of tacky puffed corn.
(Cheetos, for instance, have round 21 puffs per serving.)
Puffed water lily seeds are additionally generally beneficial in Ayurvedic medication for reproductive well being and regulating blood sugar — however extra analysis is required to again up these claims.
The place to Purchase Water Lily Seeds
There are at the moment solely a handful of manufacturers providing puffed water lily seeds offered in the USA, together with Bohana, Taali, AshaPops, and Lily Puffs.
The Bohana line of puffed water lily seeds is available in three completely different scrumptious flavors: Pink Himalayan Salt, Soulful Spice, and Wild White Cheddar.
If you happen to observe a vegan weight loss program, each Lily Puffs and AshaPops supply vegan cheese flavors of puffed water lily seeds.
And AshaPops even has a turmeric taste that mixes two wholesome developments into one scrumptious bundle.
