Flowering Leek

A Chinese plant with thin narrow, firm stalks that grow a small flowering bulb at the top of a tall stalk that may extend to over 12 inches in height. Also known as a Chinese Chive, the Flowering Leek is harvested for the stems, the flower buds and the narrow leaves that are all edible. When cooked or added fresh to foods, this leek provides a garlic and chive-like flavor. Similar to the U.S. chive, the Flowering Leek is used as an herb to season soups, stir-fry dishes, eggs, meat or fish dishes, and is a common ingredient in a variety of Asian salads. It is also a plant that can be dried and ground into a powered for use as a dried seasoning. Other terms used for this plant include Chinese Flower Leek, Jiu Cai Hua, Hana Nira, and Pak Mai Kward.