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Lotus leaf

Lotus leaf is a large aromatic leaf commonly used to wrap foods during steaming or as a serving base.

Lotus leaf — illustrative ingredient image

About Lotus leaf

Lotus leaf is the broad, round leaf of the lotus plant, harvested fresh or dried for culinary use. Whole leaves are commonly used to wrap rice, poultry, meat, or other fillings for steaming, allowing their aroma to infuse the food.

It has a ribbed surface, a firm but flexible structure, and a distinctive green, vegetal aroma. Fresh leaves are pliable, while dried leaves are folded or cut after soaking; dried leaves become brownish and brittle until rehydrated.

Lotus leaf may also line steamers, bowls, or serving plates. Fresh, dried, and rehydrated leaves differ in appearance and handling, and preparation can make the leaf more flexible without establishing how much of it remains with the served food.

Ingredient type
whole food

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Where lotus leaf appears

1 linked foods

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Main dishes

Ingredient connections awaiting review · Coverage is still growing, including packaged snacks.

Name examples awaiting language review. Confirm the specific food or product.

Local names for lotus leaf

Names and romanised forms to recognise on menus and labels.

English

Lotus leaf

Available names only. Languages may be spoken in other countries; a name alone does not identify every ingredient in a dish.

Lotus leaf nutrition & diet

Lotus leaf nutritional value

Representative benchmark: Vegetables, not further specified

Representative nutrition benchmarkOfficial table values for a comparable food category, not a laboratory measurement of this exact ingredient.

Per 100 g of 100 g edible portion in the named official reference form.

Calories
37kcal
Protein
2.3g
Carbs
4.1g
Fat
0.4g

Representative benchmark from a comparable official food-composition category; it is not a laboratory measurement of this exact ingredient. The displayed reference form must be considered, and species, cultivar, recipe, brand, processing and preparation can change values.

Portions & preparation

Treat lotus leaf primarily as a wrapping or serving material unless the preparation explicitly includes consumed leaf tissue. Match fresh, dried, rehydrated, or otherwise processed leaves, and document trimming. Steaming can transfer flavor without making the entire leaf an edible portion; fillings and cooking liquids require separate assessment.

Compare the right form: Match the reference to fresh, dried, or rehydrated lotus leaf and state whether the leaf is eaten or used only for wrapping.

Diet considerations

Lotus leaf is plant-derived, but its dietary role depends on whether it is consumed or discarded after wrapping. Compatibility changes with the filling and cooking liquid, which may contain meat, seafood, eggs, dairy, oil, or cereal ingredients. A wrapped rice or grain dish also has a portion-dependent carbohydrate pattern.

AI-authored reading notes · Awaiting editorial review. Measured values, where available, have a separate source above.

Dietary compatibility

  • Vegan
    Typically compatible
  • Vegetarian
    Typically compatible
  • Pescatarian
    Typically compatible
  • Keto
    Depends on the version
  • Paleo
    Typically compatible
  • Low-carb
    Depends on the version
  • Halal
    Not established
  • Kosher
    Not established
What these diet assessments mean
Vegan · Typically compatible
The plain ingredient profile is plant, fungal or mineral based. Added ingredients in a prepared product need a separate check.
Vegetarian · Typically compatible
The plain ingredient profile is plant, fungal or mineral based. Added ingredients in a prepared product need a separate check.
Pescatarian · Typically compatible
The plain ingredient profile is plant, fungal or mineral based. Added ingredients in a prepared product need a separate check.
Keto · Depends on the version
Compatibility depends on the portion and preparation. A sourced carbohydrate amount for a defined serving is not available.
Paleo · Typically compatible
The plain form fits the conventional paleo food groups. Added ingredients and individual interpretations can differ.
Low-carb · Depends on the version
Compatibility depends on the portion and preparation. A sourced carbohydrate amount for a defined serving is not available.
Halal · Not established
Sourcing, processing and any applicable certification have not been verified. A food name alone does not establish halal status.
Kosher · Not established
Sourcing, processing and any applicable certification have not been verified. A food name alone does not establish kosher status.

For the plain ingredient · Awaiting review. Diet compatibility is not allergy suitability or halal/kosher certification. Keto and low-carb depend on the portion.

Reviewed ingredient entryIngredient reference · Preparations vary

AI-generated illustration for visual context. It does not identify a particular product or establish allergen content.

Sources & review

Nutrition reference: Pacific Nutrient Database 2020 — 01.1.7.4.9_99 ↗. Values are scaled from 100 g of the recorded edible form. Individual portions have no assumed fixed weight.

Expanded overview, name examples and nutrition notes are database drafts awaiting editorial review. Numeric nutrition values, where shown, have their own source and food-form reference.

The ingredient description and dish connections come from the draft catalogue and may change after review.

Last recorded verification: .