百子櫃 ›
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.
Nature · neutral Flavour · sweet、bland Meridians · liver
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.
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.
廣東、廣西夏季時花（花期5–8月） — Highly seasonal; occasionally at Sydney Asian greengrocers in season — availability unverified
Herbal shops / specialists
“Heaty? Then this is the pot.”
Lo Fo Tong is cultural food-heritage reference, not medical advice. If you are pregnant, unwell or on medication, talk to your doctor or registered practitioner before changing what is in the pot.