Chinese water chestnut is a tuberous, rush-like, marginal aquatic perennial that is probably grown more often for its edible, dark brown tubers (corms) than it is grown for ornamental purposes. Plants produce horizontal rhizomes that terminate in rounded tubers. The tubers are commonly used in Asian cooking. They may be eaten raw or cooked, and are noted for their sweetness and distinctive nut-like crunch. These plants are commercially cultivated in China and Japan for the tubers.
| Name | Water chestnuts |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eleocharis dulcis |
| Native | Tropical West Africa |
| Common/English Name | Bush Nut, Chinese Water Chestnut, Edible Spike Rush, Ground Chestnut, Spike Rush, Water Chestnut, Water Nut |
| Name in Other Languages | Kwara: Ngwano Arabic: El-Kustana Philippines: Apulid (Bikol) Vietnamese: Cu M Thay(North) Chamorro: Uchaga-Lane Taiwan: Shui Deng Xin Cao Fijian: Kuta Spanish: Cabezas De Negrito Russian: Bolotnitsa French: Ch tagine D’eau India: Singhara Indonesia: Teki Khmer: Mm Phl ng Japanese: Okuro Guwai Malaysia: Tike Tongan: Kuta Nepalese: Kasuur Samoan: Utu utu Danish: Kinavandkastanie Sri Lanka: Boru-Pan German: Wasserkastanie Thai: Yaa- Chongkatiam Chinese: Bi-Qi Palauan: Kerdikes |
| Plant Growth Habit | Tuberous, rush-like, marginal aquatic perennial |
| Growing Climate | Grows well in mud in margins of Shallow lakes, ponds, paddy fields, swamps and marshes and prefers sunny locations |
| Soil | Prefers rich, friable soil, well manured or fertilized in shallow water |
| Plant Size | 1 to 2 m tall |
| Stem | Erect, terete, tufted, 40-200 cm tall, 3-10 mm in diameter, longitudinally striate, distinctly transversely septate, the intersepta 5-12 mm long, hollow, smooth, greyish to glossy dark green. |
| Flower | Yellow-brown, bisexual, with perianth of 6-8, filiform, unequal, white to brown bristles |
| Fruit | Obovoid nut (achene), 1.5-2.2 x 1.2-1.8 mm, shiny yellow to brown. |
| Corm Shape & Size | Small, round gladiola bulbs reaching up to 4cm in diameter |
| Corm Color | Brown to black |
| Skin Color | Thin brown skin |
| Flesh Color | White |
| Flavor/Aroma | Mild flavor blend between apple, chestnut and coconut. |
| Taste | Fresh, delicate taste |
| Major Nutrition | Copper, Cu 0.404 mg (44.89%) Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) 0.407 mg (31.31%) Carbohydrate 29.69 g (22.84%) Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 0.248 mg (19.08%) Manganese, Mn 0.41 mg (17.83%) Potassium, K 724 mg (15.40%) Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) 0.174 mg (14.50%) Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) 0.594 mg (11.88%) Phosphorus, P 78 mg (11.14%) Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) 1.49 mg (9.93%) |
| Health Benefits |
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| Calories in 1cup (124gm) | 120 Kcal |