Recently, the beloved "Three Treasures of the Lotus Pond"—lotus seeds, lotus root, and water chestnuts—have come into season in Hangzhou. Have you had a chance to savor this summer delicacy? The stalls at Damalong have gained popularity, with eager customers arriving early to purchase a portion of what is being called "summer's limited romance"—lotus flowers!
Stalls selling lotus pods and flowers have appeared throughout the streets of Hangzhou, infusing the city with a delightful summer charm.
At Damalong, you can find an array of lotus pods, flowers, and water chestnuts. Among these, the lotus flower has emerged as the star attraction. Some vendors offer bouquets crafted from lotus flowers and pods for just 10 yuan each, drawing in many buyers.
The stall owner shared that the lotus flowers and pods are harvested from Deqing’s Xiazhu Lake the night before and have been selling for over a month. Customers are plentiful; some long-time locals even arrive as early as 5 AM to browse the morning market and take home these beautiful blooms.
Weekends see an especially high influx of customers. On regular days, the stall prepares about 100 bouquets, but on weekends, that number rises to between 180 and 200, with peak sales reaching 200 bouquets in a single day.
Some are attracted by the beauty of the flowers, while others appreciate their symbolic meanings. A post-95s girl with the surname Sun carefully selected a lotus flower she liked, pairing it with a lotus pod: “It has a lovely meaning —‘good luck comes in pairs’!”
The residents of Hangzhou also express their love for lotus flowers through food. The water chestnuts and peeled lotus seeds available at the stall have garnered significant attention as well. The water chestnuts are offered in both raw and cooked varieties, priced at 13 yuan per pound.
Once taken home, the lotus flowers can be placed in water, typically remaining fresh for four to five days.