The flowers, leaves, stems and roots of lotus can be used in a multitude of dishes and are considered special delicacies in Jinan, Shandong province.

1. Fried lotus (炸荷花/zháhéhuā）

Fried lotus [Photo/WeChat account: jnslyj]

Fried lotus is a special dish which can be found at lotus banquets, combining crispy and sweet sensations into a single bite.

Choose the inner petals of the lotus flower and gently wash them with spring water. Dip the petals in a batter and then fry in hot oil until golden brown. Dish off and sprinkle with soft white sugar.

2. Lotus leaf porridge (荷叶粥/héyèzhōu)

Lotus leaf porridge [Photo/WeChat account: jnslyj]

Lotus leaf porridge is a traditional delicacy in China. It is made by combining boiled lotus leaves with rice, wolfberry, donkey-hide jujube, and rock sugar.

The porridge is a refreshing treat on a hot summer day and is believed to help with heatstroke and lowering blood fat.

3. Meat wrapped in lotus leaves (荷叶肉/héyèròu）

Meat wrapped in lotus leaves [Photo/WeChat account: jnslyj]

Streaky pork wrapped in lotus leaves and steamed in steamers is a great way to eliminate grease for Jinan natives.

4. Fried lotus roots (炸藕盒/zhá'ǒuhé）

To make this dish, lotus roots are cut into slices, wrapped with batter and fried in hot oil. It is considered a delicacy by local residents in Jinan.

Fried lotus roots [Photo/WeChat account: jnslyj]

5. Lotus leaf tea (荷叶茶/héyèchá）

Lotus leaf tea [Photo/WeChat account: jnslyj]

Pu'er and lotus leaf are a wonderful combination which can nourish the stomach, cleanse the palate and help people lose weight.

6. Lotus seed tea (莲子茶/lián zǐchá）

Lotus seed tea [Photo/WeChat account: jnslyj]

There are various traditional methods of making lotus seed tea in Jinan. The most common method among families is to boil the fresh lotus seeds in an iron pot.

7. Cold lotus root tip in sauce (凉拌笋尖/liángbànsǔnjiān）

The tip of the lotus root is also the bud before the plant begins to grow. People will pick the fresh lotus root tips in the morning and make a sauce with scallions, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar and rock sugar. The sauce is then poured on the root tips.

Cold lotus root tip in sauce [Photo/WeChat account: jnslyj]

8. Drinking from lotus leaves (碧筒饮/bìtǒngyǐn）

In ancient Jinan, people would puncture a hole in the center of the lotus leaves with hairpins, exposing the hollow lotus stems. The wine would then be poured onto the lotus leaf, through the lotus stem and directly into the mouth to drink.

Drinking from a lotus leaf [Photo/WeChat account: jnslyj]