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Galanga Root

A rhizome with a hot, ginger-peppery flavor, GALANGA ROOT is used primarily as a seasoning. Also known as Thai ginger (it is a member of the ginger family), it has translucent golden skin, slightly ridged rings around the root, and a creamy white-flesh. The pale pink shoots of the tender young rhizome are even more…

Japanese Chrysanthemum

In Western countries, CHRYSANTHEMUMS are Mother’s Day flowers. In China and Japan, they are part of the culture. Fresh chrysanthemum petals are sprinkled into soups or over steamed dishes. Chrysanthemum petals may be added to soups shortly before serving as overcooking makes them bitter.

Japanese Eggplant

Originally from India, eggplants are now distributed throughout almost every tropical, subtropical, and temperate climatic zone. This perennial member of the nightshade family, which is grown commercially only as an annual, bears 8s up to 1 foot in length, 2-5 inches in diameter, and up to 1 1/4 pounds in weight. While oval, dark purple…

Chinese Eggplant

The Chinese eggplant has a lovely lilac colored, thin skin, delicate flavor, and relatively few seeds. Perhaps the nicest thing about this mellow-flavored plant is its adaptability. Its white mild flesh goes with just about any other food. It harmonizes especially well with strong spices like garlic, cinnamon and aromatic 2. Slender, and longer than…

FM Chinese Long Bean *L*

Chinese Long Beans (also known as yard-long beans, or asparagus beans) are close relatives of the black-eyed pea rather than the green beans. Crunchier than green beans and with a slightly tougher texture, long beans can take a little more cooking without getting mushy. Although the flavor is similar, they do not taste exactly like…

Daikon Radish

In East Asia, these Japanese hybrid radishes are one of the most important vegetable types. From the Japanese words dai (large) and kon (root), the daikon, sometimes called a white radish or mooli, has crisp, juicy, bright white flesh, and the skin is creamy white. While this vegetable can grow up to three feet long…