From Lotus Pond to Snack Pack – Makhana

From Lotus Pond to Snack Pack – Makhana

Every handful of crunchy fox nuts (or lotus seeds) you eat actually has a long and fascinating history! These start off as seeds in a freshwater pond. They require lots of skill from farmers to go from being a seed to a light roasted snack in bright packaging. Read our simple guide below to discover the journey of Makhana to understand why high quality Makhana is so prized.

Where does Makhana come from?

Makhana is obtained from the seeds of the prickly water lily – Euryale ferox. This plant grows in shallow still fresh water ponds and wetlands. The leaves of this plant are large and round and float on the surface. The plant produces flowers which grow above the surface. Underneath the surface of the water the plant produces spiky sponge-like fruits containing the seeds. Most Makhana found in India comes from North Bihar, specifically the Mithila region. This area provides lots of water for the plants to grow in, along with fertile soil and a warm and humid climate. Farming of Makhana has become a traditon in this area.

Growth & Harvest

The plant grows throughout the warmer months. When the fruit has fully ripened they explode open letting the seeds sink to the bottom of the pond. The seeds are then harvested by farmers and expert divers. This part of the process can be very labour intensive as they have to dive under the water to hand pick the seeds. This is one of the most labour intensive parts of the process and is one reason why Makhana can be a bit more expensive than many other ingredients used for snacks.

Cleaning & Drying

The seeds will have a lot of mud and plant matter still attached to them after coming out of the pond. So they need to be carefully cleaned. Good cleaning is key to ensure the colour and quality of the finished product. Once cleaned they are left to dry in the sun. Correct drying is essential to control the humidity of the seeds. The hard dark seeds are then ready to move onto the next step. As this is weather dependant there can be variations in the quantity of Makhana available each season.

Sorting & Popping

The dried seeds are sorted by size. This helps provide more even results. The next step requires a lot of skill and is truly amazing. The hard black seeds are heated until the shell becomes fragile. Expert workers then crack the shells. This causes the white kernel inside to puff up creating the light, fluffy Makhana we know and love! This requires timing, temperature and skill. Many of this process is done by hand. This is why Makhana from Bihar is so highly regarded.

Polishing & Sorting

The kernels are then cleaned and polished. This removes any remaining husk. The kernels are then sorted by size. Common sizes are 3 suta, 4 suta, 5 suta and 6 suta. Larger, whiter and more even pieces will usually cost more. Any broken or discoloured pieces are separated.

Packaging & Export

Quality packaging will help keep the Makhana fresh. Quality Makhana will be packaged in food grade, airtight packaging. Often they will be flushed with nitrogen to prolong shelf life. Bulk raw Makhana will be put into larger bags and cartons for wholesale buyers. Information will be added to the packaging including ingredients, nutritional information, batch number and expiry date. The packaged Makhana will then be sent to warehouses, stores and international markets. The exporters will add documentation such as Certificate of Origin, Phytosanitary certificate and invoices. The Makhana will then be shipped either by sea or air to buyers in countries such as the USA, UAE, UK and Australia.

Why does this matter?

Understanding this process will help you understand why Makhana can be a bit expensive. As it requires a lot of time and effort to hand harvest and pop using skilled techniques. It also helps you understand why different suppliers may offer different quality. As the cleaning, drying, sorting and humidity can all affect the final product. This also helps thousands of farming families in Bihar rely on Makhana for their living.

Conclusion

There is a lot that happens from the initial harvesting process at the pond through to a crispy packaged product of Makhana. The entire process has a significant effect on the final quality of the Makhana. This is what will make your experience enjoyable. For premium raw and roasted Makhana, MamaCrunch Global provides top quality products.