Figs and lotus seeds are in the top 50 Vietnamese specialties in 2015.

The Vietnam Record Organization has just announced the top 50 Vietnamese specialties for the third time - 2015, including figs and lotus seeds from Tinh Tam Lake of Thua Thien-Hue.

Fig trees are related to fig trees but are tall and have large, round leaves. Fig trees are widely grown in Thua Thien-Hue province and are an indispensable rustic dish for Hue people. Young figs have green, fine-haired skin. Inside the fruit is a layer of white pulp - that is the part used to prepare food. According to oriental medicine, figs are sweet, neutral, have medicinal properties to prevent and treat constipation, dysentery, hemorrhoids, regulate the intestines, diuretic, good for dieters because they are high in fiber (9.8 grams) and low in energy (100 grams of dry fruit gives 250kcal).

Not only is it a famous culinary specialty in Hue with many attractive dishes for domestic and foreign tourists, figs have also been transformed into a unique tea loved by many people by two Hue businessmen living far from home. This is also the first fig tea line available in Vietnam.

Figs also contain many omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and phenols - substances that help prevent coronary heart disease; provide calcium to help strengthen bones; high potassium content helps regulate blood sugar levels, reduce sodium that causes calcium deficiency in urine. Fig roots and leaves have detoxifying and anti-inflammatory effects.

Lotus is grown a lot in Hue but nowhere is it as delicious as the lotus in Tinh Tam Lake inside the Imperial City. According to historical records, during the feudal period, lotus was grown in Tinh Tam Lake to prepare special dishes for the Nguyen Dynasty kings.

Because Tinh Tam Lake has a different soil structure at the bottom and is rich in alluvium, lotus seeds grown here have a fragrant, rich, fatty and sweet taste, different from lotus seeds in other regions.

Lotus seeds have long been considered a healthy, nutritious food. According to oriental medicine, lotus seeds are sweet, neutral, and consist of main ingredients such as starch, raffinose, amino acids... which have the effect of nourishing the mind, calming the nerves, benefiting the kidneys, strengthening the spleen, astringing the intestines, stabilizing the fetus, and promoting urination... Lotus seeds also contain many fatty acids that help lower blood pressure, alkaloids that strengthen the heart, liensinine that counteracts calcium and stabilizes heart rate, and prevents tumors... In addition, lotus seeds and lotus roots contain a special enzyme that slows down the aging process.

According to Dulichvn