Water Chestnut

Chinese Fresh Water Chestnuts Singapore

Chinese Fresh Water Chestnuts are crisp, juicy aquatic vegetables from China, known for their subtly sweet flavour and satisfying crunch. Also searched as water chestnuts, chinese water chestnut, fresh water chestnuts, raw water chestnuts, ma ti, 马蹄 and 荸荠, they are a fresh and flavourful alternative to canned water chestnuts.

Fresh water chestnuts have a clean white interior with a crunchy texture that stays crisp even after light cooking. They can be peeled and eaten raw, sliced into stir-fries, chopped into dumpling fillings, added to soups, blended into desserts or used for a refreshing water chestnut drink.

Compared with canned water chestnuts, fresh Chinese water chestnuts have a cleaner sweetness, firmer bite and more natural flavour. They are especially useful when you want to add crunch to meatballs, stuffings, dumplings, Chinese soups, tong sui, desserts and homemade drinks.

Origin: China. Product photos are for reference only. Size, skin colour, sweetness, crunch and appearance may vary slightly depending on the harvest batch and shipment.

Chinese Fresh Water Chestnuts Quick Facts

Taste and Texture

Chinese Fresh Water Chestnuts have a clean, subtly sweet flavour with a refreshing crunch. The flesh is white, crisp and juicy, making them useful in both raw and cooked dishes.

One of the best qualities of fresh water chestnuts is that they keep their crunch even after light cooking. This makes them excellent for recipes where you want extra bite without overpowering the main flavour of the dish.

• Subtly sweet and refreshing flavour
• Crisp, juicy white flesh
• Natural crunch that holds well in cooking
• Cleaner taste than canned water chestnuts
• Suitable for savoury dishes, desserts and drinks
• Best washed and peeled before eating or cooking

What are Water Chestnuts?

Water chestnuts are not true nuts. They are aquatic vegetables grown for their edible underground corms. The brown outer skin is peeled away to reveal the crisp white flesh inside.

Chinese water chestnut is commonly used in Asian cooking because it adds crunch, mild sweetness and freshness to many dishes. It is especially popular in Chinese stir-fries, dumpling fillings, soups, desserts and drinks.

Are Water Chestnuts Nuts?

Are water chestnuts nuts? No. Despite the name, water chestnuts are not tree nuts and are not the same as roasted chestnuts. They are the edible corms of an aquatic vegetable plant.

If you have a food allergy or special dietary concern, always check with a doctor or dietitian before trying new ingredients. This product is sold as fresh Chinese water chestnut, not as a tree nut product.

Chestnut vs Water Chestnut

Chestnut vs water chestnut is a common comparison because the names sound similar. Regular chestnuts are tree nuts that grow on chestnut trees, while water chestnuts grow underwater as aquatic corms.

Fresh Water Chestnuts vs Canned Water Chestnuts

Fresh water chestnuts have a sweeter, juicier and more natural taste than canned water chestnuts. They also have a firmer, fresher crunch, making them a better choice when texture and flavour are important.

How to Prepare Water Chestnuts?

How to prepare water chestnuts? Start by washing the brown outer skin thoroughly. Trim the top and bottom, then peel away the skin with a small knife or peeler to reveal the white crunchy flesh inside.

After peeling, fresh water chestnuts can be sliced, diced, grated or coarsely chopped depending on your recipe. Add them near the end of cooking if you want to keep more crunch.

• Wash the outer skin thoroughly
• Trim the top and bottom
• Peel away the brown skin
• Rinse the peeled white flesh
• Slice, dice, grate or chop depending on recipe
• Use soon after peeling for the best crunch

How Long to Cook Water Chestnuts?

How long to cook water chestnuts depends on the recipe and the texture you want. For stir-fries, sliced water chestnuts usually only need a few minutes because they are added mainly for crunch.

For soups or sweet drinks, they can be simmered longer until the flavour blends into the liquid while still keeping some bite. Avoid overcooking if you want the crisp texture to remain.

• Stir-fry sliced water chestnuts for a few minutes
• Add near the end of cooking to keep them crunchy
• Simmer longer for soups, desserts or water chestnut drink
• Cook until hot throughout if serving to children, pregnant women or anyone who prefers fully cooked food

Can You Eat Raw Water Chestnuts?

Can you eat raw water chestnuts? Fresh water chestnuts can be eaten raw after they are washed and peeled properly. The raw flesh is crisp, juicy and lightly sweet, making it refreshing as a snack or as an ingredient in salads, desserts and drinks.

For better food safety, wash the outer skin thoroughly before peeling, use a clean knife and discard any pieces that smell off, feel mushy or show signs of spoilage. If you prefer a safer cooked preparation, boil, steam, stir-fry or add them to soups.

Water Chestnut Drink

Water chestnut drink is a popular way to enjoy the natural sweetness and refreshing crunch of fresh water chestnuts. Peeled water chestnuts can be chopped or lightly crushed, then simmered with water and rock sugar for a simple Chinese-style drink.

You can also add pandan leaves, sugar cane, red dates or barley depending on your preferred recipe. Serve warm or chilled for a refreshing homemade drink.

• Peel and chop fresh water chestnuts
• Simmer with water and rock sugar
• Add pandan, barley or red dates if preferred
• Serve warm or chilled
• Use as a refreshing drink or light dessert

Water Chestnut Benefits

Water chestnut benefits are mainly linked to their natural crunch, water content, fibre and potassium. They are low in fat and can add texture to meals without a heavy taste.

Health benefits of water chestnuts should be understood in a general nutrition sense, not as a medical treatment. They can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet together with other vegetables, fruits, protein and whole foods.

• Naturally crisp and refreshing
• Contains dietary fibre
• Contains potassium
• Very low in fat
• Adds crunch to meals and fillings
• Can help make dishes feel more satisfying because of the fibre and texture

Water Chestnuts Nutrition

Water chestnuts nutrition can vary slightly by size, freshness and preparation method. The values below are a general guide for raw Chinese water chestnuts and may not represent the exact nutrition of every batch.

Chinese Fresh Water Chestnuts can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet. They are naturally crunchy and mildly sweet, so portion size can be adjusted according to personal preference and recipe use.

Can Pregnant Women Eat Water Chestnut?

Can pregnant women eat water chestnut? In general, most fruits and vegetables can be eaten during pregnancy when they are washed thoroughly and prepared safely. For fresh water chestnuts, wash the skin well, peel them properly and cook them if you prefer a safer preparation.

Pregnant customers with specific dietary restrictions, medical conditions or food safety concerns should check with their doctor. Avoid eating any water chestnut that smells off, feels mushy or looks spoiled.

Can Dogs Eat Water Chestnuts?

Can dogs eat water chestnuts? This product is meant for human consumption, not as pet food. If you wish to share water chestnuts with a dog, check with your vet first, especially if your dog has allergies, digestive issues or a special diet.

Any water chestnut given to dogs should be plain, peeled, cut into small pieces and served only in a small amount. Do not give dogs seasoned, sweetened, salted or canned water chestnuts in syrup.

Water Chestnut in Malay

Water chestnut in Malay may be searched in different ways depending on the market, including ubi keladi air, sengkuang air or simply water chestnut. In Singapore and Malaysia, many customers also recognise the Chinese name 马蹄, pronounced ma ti.

This product is Chinese Fresh Water Chestnut from China. It should not be confused with regular chestnut, jicama or water caltrop.

Water Chestnut and Ma Ti 马蹄

In Chinese, fresh water chestnut is commonly known as 马蹄, which means “horse hoof”, referring to the rounded shape of the corm. It is also written as 荸荠 in Mandarin.

The edible part is the underground corm, not a tree nut. This is why water chestnuts are commonly used as a vegetable ingredient even though the English name includes the word “chestnut”.

Water Chestnut vs Water Caltrop

Chinese water chestnut is different from water caltrop. Chinese water chestnut is Eleocharis dulcis and has a rounded brown corm with crisp white flesh inside.

Water caltrop is a different aquatic plant and may be searched under names such as ling, ling chio, water caltrop or Trapa natans. Those names should not be confused with this Chinese Fresh Water Chestnut product.

How to Choose Fresh Water Chestnuts

Choose water chestnuts that feel firm, heavy and fresh. The skin should look naturally brown and intact, without excessive softness, wet patches or strong off-smells.

Fresh water chestnuts may vary in size and shape because they are natural corms. After peeling, the inside should look clean, white and crisp.

• Choose firm and heavy water chestnuts
• Look for intact brown skin
• Avoid mushy, wet or badly damaged pieces
• Peel before eating or cooking
• Use soon after peeling for best crunch

Storage Tips

Store whole unpeeled Chinese Fresh Water Chestnuts in the refrigerator to reduce water loss, slow sprouting and maintain their crunchy texture for longer.

Keep them dry and intact until ready to use. Once peeled, store the water chestnuts in a covered container in the refrigerator and use them as soon as possible for best freshness.

• Keep whole unpeeled water chestnuts refrigerated
• Do not peel until ready to use
• Store away from excess moisture
• Consume within 21 days after delivery for best quality
• Refrigerate peeled water chestnuts in a covered container
• Use peeled water chestnuts as soon as possible

Why Buy Chinese Fresh Water Chestnuts from SKC Fruits

SKC Fruits offers Chinese Fresh Water Chestnuts for customers in Singapore who want a crisp, naturally sweet and versatile ingredient for home cooking. They are a good fresh alternative to canned water chestnuts and can be used in stir-fries, fillings, soups, desserts and drinks.

• Fresh Chinese water chestnuts from China
• Crisp, juicy and naturally crunchy texture
• Subtly sweet flavour
• Fresh alternative to canned water chestnuts
• Suitable for cooking, desserts and water chestnut drink
• Convenient fresh produce delivery in Singapore