Night fragrant flower
The small yellow-green flower buds of Telosma cordata, a twining vine, picked in summer and sold fresh by the tael. Dropped into the pot only in the last five minutes, the flowers release a heady evening fragrance and a slight crunch, the finishing touch of a winter-melon tureen.
TCM properties
Nature · neutral Flavour · sweet、bland Meridians · liver
Traditional food therapy
In Cantonese food therapy the flowers are used to clear the liver, brighten the eyes and lift summer heat, traditionally added to hot-weather soups to refresh the appetite.
Cautions: read first
- Pregnant women should take care with it
Preparation
Pick the flowers over, wash and drain them, then add them in the last 5 minutes before the soup is done, as long boiling loses the fragrance.
Origin
Guangdong and Guangxi, a summer seasonal flower (in bloom May to August). Highly seasonal; occasionally at Sydney Asian greengrocers in season, availability unverified
Availability in Australia
Herbal shops / specialists
