Popped water lily seeds - Cheddar Cheese

Water lily seeds come from the pods of the lotus flower, an aquatic plant grown in shallow ponds and wetlands across India and Southeast Asia. These seeds are harvested by hand, sun-dried, and then slow-roasted until they pop into light, crunchy puffs—often calledwater lilypops or makhana.

Naturally gluten-free, high in plant protein, and low in calories—lotus seeds are gaining buzz as a clean, guilt-free snack. From The New York Times to Well+Good, wellness media have highlighted them as the next big healthy snack—calling them the “popcorn of the future” for their satisfying crunch and clean ingredients.

Water lily plants thrive in still, muddy waters. As the flower matures, it develops a pod filled with seeds. Farmers wade into thewaterto collect these pods, extract the seeds, and dry them. Only a small portion of these seeds pop when roasted—making them rare and prized.