Makhana is not a lotus seed. Makhana comes from Euryale ferox, a prickly water lily in the family Nymphaeaceae; lotus seed comes from Nelumbo nucifera in the family Nelumbonaceae. A botanical, agricultural and culinary comparison of two plants that are constantly confused, checked against primary sources.
Snacks made with avocado oil fall into five categories: kettle-cooked potato chips, sweet potato chips, grain-free tortilla chips, a few veggie straws, and a small number of popped snacks. Two AshaPops flavors, Chili and Turmeric Garlic, are popped water lily seeds made with avocado oil, and it is the second ingredient on both labels. To confirm any bag, read the ingredient line rather than the front: if it says "avocado oil and/or sunflower oil," the bag may contain no avocado oil at all. That one line matters because FDA labeling rules let a manufacturer list an oil it only sometimes uses, as long as the words "or" or "and/or" flag it. This guide covers the categories, the label check, and...
Ten crunchy snacks compared as popcorn alternatives, by preparation, texture and what each food actually is, with the Nutrition Facts panel for popped water lily seeds.
Makhana, or popped water lily seeds, comes from the Euryale ferox plant grown in Bihar, India. Here is what it is, how it is made, and how it is eaten.
