Why source from Japan
Ibaraki's >50% production share; concentrated processing infrastructure for export-grade frozen and powder formats.
Key spec
Dietary fibre 2-3%; tannin 0.1-0.3% (skin-soothing positioning); vitamin C 30-50 mg/100g.
Typical end-product
Fresh export retail, frozen sliced retail, lotus-root tea, skin-soothing cosmetic actives.
At a glance
- Suppliers listed
- 1 supplier
- Typical MOQ
- 100 kg fresh; 10–50 kg processed (sliced, frozen, powder)
- Typical lead time
- 4–8 weeks
- Regions of origin
- Ibaraki (~50%), Tokushima, Saga, Yamaguchi
- Category
- Food ingredients
- Harvest season
- September – March
- Japan regulatory status
- Food product; cosmetic JSCI listed for extract
- Japanese name
- 蓮根
- Romaji
- 蓮根
About this ingredient
Cultivated lotus rhizome, used as a vegetable in Japanese cuisine for 1,000+ years. Ibaraki Prefecture produces ~50% of Japan's commercial volume; Tokushima, Saga, and Yamaguchi round out supply. Characteristic crunchy, slightly fibrous texture with hollow channels in the rhizome. Functional positioning targets dietary-fibre and tannin content; cosmetic-grade extract is increasingly used in skin-soothing formulations. Distinct from existing vegetable entries.
Regulatory status
| Japan | Food product; cosmetic JSCI listed for extract |
|---|---|
| EU | Food import; phytosanitary certificate |
| United States | GRAS; FDA Prior Notice; phytosanitary; MoCRA cosmetic |
| China | GACC; phytosanitary |
Looking for alternatives?
Common reasons buyers swap to a different ingredient — and what we'd suggest based on this ingredient's profile.
Vegan / plant-based alternatives
Renkon (Lotus Root) is animal-derived. If you need a non-animal source with similar functions, consider:
GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid)
γ-アミノ酪酸
FFC notification(s) on file; MOQ from 10–50 kg.
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Nattokinase
ナットウキナーゼ
Serine protease from Bacillus subtilis var. natto source; FFC notification(s) on file; MOQ from 100 g – 10 kg (concentrated powder).
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Yomogi (Japanese Mugwort)
ヨモギ
Artemisia princeps (mainland) / Artemisia indica (Okinawan Fuchiba) source; INCI Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract; MOQ from 1-100 kg (dried); 100 g – 10 kg (extract).
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
When does it make sense to swap an ingredient? Read the swap guide →
Japanese suppliers
Ito En Ltd.
株式会社伊藤園
ShizuokaEst. 1966English supportExport experienceISO 22000 (inferred)Lotus-root-positioned beverages
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Last updated: 2026-05-05