Plant species, appearance, taste, nutritional value, medicinal value, place of origin.

1. Plant species. Although water chestnuts and water chestnuts both belong to the genus Water chestnuts, water chestnuts belong to the subgenus Water Chestnuts, while water chestnuts belong to the subgenus Water chestnuts. But generally speaking, water chestnuts are horseshoes, and they are two different names for the same plant. Horseshoe is the common name of water chestnut. It is named because the shape of its underground corm resembles that of horseshoe.

2. Appearance. Water chestnuts are usually oblate or round, with colors ranging from purple-red, dark red, dark brown or dark green, with obvious wrinkles or bulges on the surface; horseshoes are conical, oblate or oval, with colors ranging from purple-black, Dark gray, light yellow or tan, with a smooth surface.

3. Taste. The meat of water chestnuts is tender, sweet, crisp, juicy and delicious; the meat of water chestnuts is relatively thick and hard, with a light taste, slightly bitter or softer.

4. Nutritional value. Both are rich in water, vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber. But water chestnuts are also rich in protein, fat, carbohydrates, carotene, etc., especially high in phosphorus; while water chestnuts contain more crude protein, starch, water chestnuts and other ingredients.

5. Medicinal value. Water chestnuts can clear away heat and purge fire, diuretic and laxative, digest food and resolve accumulation; water chestnuts can clear away heat and detoxify, produce body fluids and quench thirst.

6. Place of origin. Water chestnuts are mainly produced in southern areas, such as Guangdong, Fujian, Zhejiang and other places; water chestnuts are mainly produced in northern areas, such as Jiangsu, Shandong, Anhui and other places.