Dried Lily Buds 金针花

Yellow lily flowers From Taitung Taiwan

Photo showing yellow lily flowers from Liushidan Mountain (literally translates to Sixty Stone Mountain) (六十石山) from Taitung, Taiwan.

Dried Lily Flower

  1. Some people call it a dried lily bulb, which is incorrect as the dried lily flower is actually the bud of the lily. The chance to harvest is very short, as it has to be done before it flowers.   
  2. Whereas dried lily bud is actually part of the bulb of the lily. Picture on right shows the bud of the liliaceae lily.
  3. Lily bud must be harvested before it flowers. The flower is not used in cooking.
  4. The lily bud that is used in various dishes comes from daylily, which is also called Yellow Lily Flower. 
Liliaceae lily Bulb
A plate of dried lily bulb
Air Dry Lily Bud

Commonly Known as

  1. Long yellow daylily
  2. Golden needles (金针花)
  3. 黄花菜
  4. 忘忧草

What can it be used for?  

  1. Lily bud can be added to stir fry vegetables or braised vegetables. 
  2. Lily bud can be used to make chicken mushroom lily bud soup.
A plate of Stir fry vegetables with Lily bulb
A meal of dried lily bud soup with rice

Preparatory methods 

  1. Soak the dried lily bud for an hour, until it becomes soft. 
  2. Remove/ cut the harder ends.
  3. Tie a knot to prevent the buds from falling apart in the dish.
Lily Flowers blossom

Lily buds health benefits 

  1. Lily buds can help with insomnia and anxiety issues, promoting restful sleep and irritability.
  2. The buds are also known to promote healthy brain function and assist in blood clotting. Dried lily buds are a good source of vitamin C and potassium, as well as iron, phosphorus, and folate.
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