The underground stem of lotus is lotus root, the leaves are lotus leaves, the fruit is lotus pod, and the seeds are lotus seeds.

Lotus roots and seeds are both edible, as are lotus flowers, seeds, young leaves and rhizomes.

In Asia, the petals are sometimes used for decoration, and the large lotus leaves are used for packaging food.

Lotus root is an ingredient for stir-fry or soup, and is the most commonly eaten part of the lotus flower.

Lotus petals, leaves, and lotus roots can all be eaten raw.

Lotus seed paste is made from the seeds of the lotus flower, which are pressed until they are extremely rotten. It can be used to make delicacies such as lotus seed paste, lotus seed paste cake, and lotus seed paste mooncakes.

The stamens of the lotus flower can be dried to make herbal tea.

Lotus seeds have a very wide range of uses.

It can be eaten raw, dried and popped into popcorn.

After the lotus seeds are boiled and softened, some sugar can be added to make lotus paste, which is a filling for moon cakes, rice cakes and Japanese daifuku.

Different parts of the lotus flower are also used in traditional East Asian herbal medicine.