Water chestnuts are a seasonal delicacy much beloved by the people of Suzhou.

In August, the water chestnuts of Suzhou Chenghu International Slow City.

It’s about to hit the market in large quantities!

Everyone’s in for a treat!

 

“Ginseng of the water,” rich in nutritional value.

 

Euryale ferox, commonly known as “chicken-head rice,” bears round, spherical fruits with a slightly pointed apex that resembles a chicken’s head, hence its nickname. The chicken-head rice of Luzhi is one of the Eight Immortals of Water; it has very few spines, a rich, fragrant aroma, and a soft, glutinous texture when eaten. Packed with nutrients, it strengthens the spleen and nourishes the stomach, benefits the kidneys and consolidates essence, earning it the moniker “ginseng of the water” and making it highly prized by many.

 

1. Cultivation to produce high-quality water chestnuts

Cheng Lake boasts crystal-clear water, ideal for cultivating aquatic crops. The water chestnuts grown here are delightfully glutinous and sweet, earning them the reputation as “the finest of southern water chestnuts.” Luzhi’s large-scale water chestnut farms are concentrated in villages along the shores of Cheng Lake, including Jiangwan, Sanma, Yaosheng, and Chengdun. Rich soil and pristine water combine to produce water chestnuts of exceptional quality, a true feast for the palate!

 

 

2. Pick and savor the joy of a bountiful harvest.

Early in the morning, as dawn was just breaking, the water chestnut farmers of Luzhi began harvesting their crop. The paddy fields were blanketed with lush green water chestnut leaves, beneath which the nuts lay hidden. Armed with their tools, the farmers waded into the fields, slicing open the large leaves with knives and deftly reaching underwater to feel for the ripe fruits. Soon, they were lifting one by one the water chestnuts—each shaped like a “chicken’s head”—to the surface and placing them in their baskets. The joy of a bountiful harvest lit up every farmer’s face.

 

 

3. Each shelled kernel is brilliantly white and delicately smooth.

Before the harvested water chestnuts become a delicious dish, they must first be shelled. This painstaking process tests one’s patience, requiring each nut to be carefully peeled by hand—a truly delicate task. In the skillful hands of the people of Luzhi, one by one, the pearly‑white, smooth “white jade pearls” emerge from their shells, a sight that brings joy to the eye!

 

4. Savor the rich, fragrant flavors on your palate.

The fresh, glistening water chestnuts are the “white moonlight” in the hearts of the people of Luzhi. As the saying goes, “Eat only what’s in season”—as soon as water chestnuts hit the market, they swiftly take center stage on every household’s dining table in Luzhi.

 

The tiny water chestnuts, pale, tender, and sweet, are soft, slightly sticky, and delicately fragrant. A simple bowl of sweetened water chestnuts is enough to delight the palate. After rinsing fresh water chestnuts thoroughly, plunge them into boiling water, simmer over low heat, and stir in a bit of white sugar—voilà, a fragrant, delicious dessert that preserves their natural flavor, refreshingly sweet and perfect for beating the summer heat.

 

A beautifully presented dish of water chestnuts stir-fried with shrimp, fragrant and flavorful, is sure to whet your appetite. After rinsing the water chestnuts thoroughly, they’re tossed with the shrimp in a quick stir-fry, then complemented by a medley of fresh green vegetables—resulting in this exquisite creation. Savor it slowly, and you’ll be greeted by an aromatic burst that lingers on the palate, leaving a sweet aftertaste that lingers long after the last bite.

 

Cultivation site of water chestnuts:

👉Shui Baxian Ecological Culture Park

📍Address: No. 288, Jinchenghu Road, Luzhi Town, Wuzhong District

 

Freshness Finder’s Recommendation:

👉Golden Shrimp Record

📍Address: No. 1 Meihuashu Road, Luzhi Ancient Town

 

👉He Yuan Restaurant

📍Address: No. 187-1-2-3, Shangtang Street, East Market, Luzhi Ancient Town

 

👉 Yuanfeng Private Cuisine

📍Address: East side of the sauce shop, No. 126 Xiatang Street, East Market, Luzhi Ancient Town

 

👉Purchase link: http://www.jwsbx.cn/

Enter the Jiangwan Shui Baxian Mall in Suzhou, where you can purchase water chestnuts directly online!

 

It’s precisely the season for eating water chestnuts,

This is a fresh and delicious dish,

Don’t miss it, everyone!