These white lotus seeds are plump and full-bodied, making them ideal for use in soups or desserts; they possess a soft, floury texture. Do the lotus seeds need to be soaked? There is no need to soak the lotus seeds prior to cooking; simply rinse them thoroughly a few times, and they are ready to be added to the pot. Why is there white powder on the lotus seeds? During transit, friction between the seeds generates a fine white powder—this is simply the natural starch present on the surface of the lotus seeds. This is a completely normal occurrence, and the product is safe to consume. Since these are described as "cored" lotus seeds, why do some still contain residual cores? Because the coring process is performed by machinery, a small percentage of the lotus seeds may occasionally retain their inner cores. The cores are typically removed because their bitter taste can affect the overall flavor of the dish; however, they are highly nutritious and remain perfectly safe to eat.