Info regarding water chestnuts

[frugal-one]

We are told to eat from the perimeter of the store... however, today when I was making chop suey I opened a can of water chestnuts and wondered .... where do they come from? I have never seen them in the store except in canned form? Are they in Asian markets in raw form?

Here is what I found? Basically, did not answer my questions.

http://foodfacts.mercola.com/water-chestnuts.html

[CathyA]

I have never seen them in any other form than the canned form, and they're always from China. (One of the few things I will eat from China).
Maybe lhamo can answer this one.

[Blackdog Lin]

Does this help?

http://www.recipetips.com/glossary-term/t--34751/water-chestnut.asp

[SteveinMN]

Asian stores here carry them fresh. And there is no comparison between the fresh ones and the canned ones. It's like the difference between real mashed potatoes and potato flakes from a box. The fresh ones are sweeter and have a texture more like a firm pear than a grainy potato.

[frugal-one]

Wow... thanks Steve. I will definitely check it out!

[Packratona!]

Thanks! Also bamboo shoots are wonderful fresh.

[CathyA]

I quit eating the canned bamboo shoots many years ago. They tasted like chemicals.

[SteveinMN]

I quit eating the canned bamboo shoots many years ago. They tasted like chemicals.
Yeah, those taste like the can to me. If I can't be bothered to buy fresh, though (or if it's just not possible where someone lives), rinsing the canned ones with some hot-to-boiling water briefly helps reduce that flavor.