A new snack food has Popped onto the Boulder scene. It’s healthy enough for the most selective eaters; it’s organic, gluten free, Non-GMO and contains only a few basic ingredients (one ingredient is purified butter so it is not Vegan), and it’s created from a plant which symbolizes purity and beauty in both Buddhism and Hinduism.
The company, Popped Lotus, was founded by Boulder resident Raghv Sharma, who describes the new product as “the new popcorn.” He adds the snack is healthier and more nutritious (than traditional popcorn) and “this little seed can do it all.”
I had the opportunity to get my hands on a few free samples of this new treat and was able to share it with friends who were all intrigued by the popped seeds that no one had seen or heard of before. So what exactly is Popped Lotus, you wonder?
“No one knows what popped lotus seeds are and the name is attempt to educate the public in two words, and if they do not understand hopefully it makes them curious,” Sharma explained. “Lotus Seeds are seeds from the Lotus Flower and just like popcorn these seeds are popped; however, they contain a much harder outer shell than popcorn and must be milled. After the milling the seeds are smooth and round without a single shell to get caught in (your) teeth.”
Sharma said Phool Makhana aka Lotus seeds are commonly eaten in India, where he grew up, and his first introduction to the seeds was eating a version prepared by his mother, and added this product is his own creation.
I left a few samples on my kitchen counter and let guests sample at will, and like chickens to feed, the grazing began. At first I wasn’t sure what I was eating, but as a friend mentioned the texture was similar to puffed corn, or “Pirate’s Booty”, and suddenly my brain and taste buds connected it all together.
Like the popular snack, Popped Lotus’ texture is light and airy, yet dense with nutrients. The two flavors we sampled were Sea Salt and Spicy Mango, and both were accurate descriptions of the flavors. As promised, we weren’t left scraping and digging shells out of our teeth, as common in popcorn, and our bellies weren’t full of chemicals or fat – Popped Lotus boasts a whopping 2 grams of protein per 1 ounce bag, with about 70 to 90 calories and only 1 gram of saturated fat.
I would recommend this to anyone who wants to indulge in a more health conscious way, or for those health food junkies who can’t wait to try anything new. It’s also husband-approved and toddler-approved – depending on current mood, of course. We will definitely be keeping our eye on this new Boulder food company.
Popped Lotus is now on sale at all Alfalfa’s Markets in Boulder County. Follow Popped Lotus on Twitter at @PoppedLotus.
