1. First, examine the color. Bleached lotus seeds appear uniformly pale and uniformly beautiful. Naturally sun-dried or oven-dried seeds cannot be uniformly white or perfectly consistent in color. Natural, unbleached lotus seeds have a slight yellowish tint. Like this.
2. Next, smell them. Bleached lotus seeds lack the natural, subtle fragrance. A handful of dried lotus seeds should emit a strong, pleasant aroma without the sharp, pungent smell characteristic of bleached ones.
3. Finally, listen to the sound. Lotus seeds must be extremely dry for long-term storage. A handful of very dry seeds will make a crisp, crackling sound. Many sellers add a small amount of water to dried lotus seeds before sale. While this isn't visible, the sound can usually tell the difference.
4. Finally, examine each seed's plumpness. The more plump, the better—indicating richer nutrients. Underdeveloped seeds are typically harvested prematurely or infested with pests.
Did you know? The lotus seed core is the greenish-yellow embryo at the center. Though bitter, it possesses properties that clear heat, fortify essence, calm the spirit, and strengthen the heart.