Why does lotus root turn black when cooked on stainless steel snails? Dare you eat them?

Lotus root will turn black when cooked in stainless steel pot, which is mainly caused by the reaction between polyphenols and iron ions. In the cooking process, the phenolic compounds in lotus root interact with iron ions in the iron pot, which is easy to produce blue-black substances.

Although the lotus root is black, it can still be eaten. Blackening is only an oxidation phenomenon, which will not cause harm to human body. However, in order to avoid this situation, you can try to stew lotus root with ceramic or stainless steel utensils.

The above information is for reference only. If you have questions about the taste or health of food, it is recommended to consult a doctor or a professional dietitian.