Lotus season has officially arrived in Yao'an County, Sichuan Province, bringing both natural beauty and delectable flavors. This summertime staple features in a variety of local dishes, with flowers, leaves, roots, and seeds used in everything from omelets to braised pork to sweet-fermented rice. Locals praise the lotus for its refreshing taste and texture, ideal for hot summer days. Yao'an boasts over 200 hectares of lotus ponds, with the peak blossom season running from mid-July.