Mostly sold in dried, shelled form, the seeds are rich in protein, B vitamins, and dietary minerals.

However, some sellers of dried lotus seeds bleach their products with hydrogen peroxide, sodium hydroxide, or other chemicals.

[citation needed] In a 100 gram reference amount, dried lotus seeds contain 332 calories and consist of 64% carbohydrates, 2% fat, 15% protein, and 14% water.

[2][3][4][5][6] Lotus seeds are also common in the northern part of Colombia, especially in cities like Barranquilla and Cartagena.

Fresh lotus seeds are sold in street markets and are generally eaten raw by the locals.