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The lotus eaters

By Lu Chen (Global Times)

11:27, July 18, 2012

Lotus roots and leaves are in time for food around dashu solar period. Photos: Cai Xianmin/GT and

Dashu, or "great heat," marks the beginning of the hottest period of the year. Dashu falls on July 22 this year, a time when the sun is normally scorching during the day, with high temperatures lingering on into the night. Given the high temperature and humidity in the air, thunderstorms also happen from time to time.

On farmland, the growth of crops usually slows down during this period due to the excessive heat. Only a few plants grow well when it is very hot and one of them is the lotus. And the hotter it gets, the more fragrance the lotus emits.

This vastly versatile plant offers people more than just pretty petals that float on the surface of lakes and ponds. The less attractive parts, such as the leaves, roots and seeds, are all in season around the time of dashu.

The Global Times has selected some healthy and seasonal recipes highlighting the lotus, and that can be easily prepared at home.

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