Lily Bulb

Lily bulbs (ゆり根 in Japanese) are the root part of the lily flower. It is used as an ingredient in chawanmushi (savory egg custard) and in simmered dishes in kaiseki cuisine (traditional Japanese dining). It can also be simply eaten fried or baked in butter. It also pairs well with eggs and dairy products, and can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes such as Chinese and Western cuisine and sweets. Lily bulbs are very delicate, so when transporting them, they are packed carefully buried in sawdust. When using lily bulbs, rinse the sawdust with water and peel the bulbs off one by one.

While the main component of lily bulb is starch, it also contains protein. In addition, lily bulb has a high potassium content, which helps excrete salt and suppress high blood pressure; iron, which is essential for blood production; and phosphorus, which strengthens bones and teeth. It is also rich in folic acid, which is essential for the production of red blood cells and the healthy development of a fetus. Lily bulb is also rich in dietary fiber, which aids digestion and is effective in preventing constipation. It is particularly characterized by its high content of water-soluble dietary fiber called glucomannan.
Since both potassium and folic acid are water-soluble, cooking methods of lily bulbs such as steaming, microwave cooking, and in soup to be eaten together with broth are suitable. In addition, as lily bulb contains a lot of water-soluble dietary fiber, eating it with vegetables that contain a lot of insoluble dietary fiber will help maintain intestinal health. in the leaves is fat-soluble, so the absorption rate increases.

Lily bulbs can be stored for 1-2 weeks if wrapped in newspaper and placed in the refrigerator. If you peel bulbs off one by one, wrap them in plastic wrap and freeze them, they can be stored for up to 1 month.

It is said that Japan and China are the only countries that eat lily bulbs. In China, they have been used as an ingredient in medicinal cuisine. Because they overlap like flower petals, they are said to represent "growing old, good friendship, and prosperity of descendants," and are considered an auspicious food.