Growing Chinese Water Chestnuts in Hawaii

BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION The Chinese water chestnut, Eleocharis dulcis ((Burm. f.) Henschel), is a member of the sedge family (Cyperaceae). It is a true aquatic that can only grow in water. The plant has a rush-like appearance with 4-6 tubular stems that are upright and about 3 to 4 feet tall. The plant produces 1 to 2-inch brown corms on rhizomes at its base under the soil. The corms have white flesh which has a crisp texture and sweet nutty taste. Water chestnuts are fairly high in sugars (2-3%), and also contain about 18% starch, 4-5% protein, but less than 1% fiber (Burt 1999). Water chestnuts are an important ingredient in Asian cuisine and culture. It is used in cooking, drinks, and also for medicinal purposes. The crisp texture is retained after processing or cooking due to the presence of hemicellulos containing ferulic acid in the cell walls. In cooking, water chestnuts are often included in stir-fry mixes. It also forms the basis for sweet drinks and can be made into syrup used in deserts.