Tonkin Jasmine Flowers are the flowers of the Tonkin jasmine plant (Telosma cordata), belonging to the Apocynaceae family. Tonkin jasmine is a climbing plant widely cultivated in Vietnam and some parts of Southeast Asia. The young flowers have a distinctive greenish-yellow color, a mild fragrance, and are commonly used as a vegetable in food preparation.
Characteristic Features
The flowers grow in clusters, with each cluster containing multiple small star-shaped flowers.
Young flowers range from greenish yellow to yellow green, with moderately thick and relatively tender petals.
Fresh flowers have small stems and should be clean and intact, without bruising, wilting, decay, or visible mold.
When fresh, the flowers are slightly crisp and succulent; after cooking, they become softer while generally retaining their shape.
They have a characteristic natural floral aroma that becomes more noticeable after cooking.
Flavor & Texture
Tonkin jasmine flowers have a mild floral aroma, a fresh and slightly sweet flavor. Fresh flowers are tender, slightly crisp, and succulent; when stir-fried or cooked, they become softer while retaining a slight crispness and their characteristic fragrance.
Uses and Applications
Stir-fried with beef, pork, shrimp, or other ingredients.
Used in soups with meat, shrimp, or vegetables.
Boiled or blanched and served as a side dish.
Used in vegetarian and plant-based dishes.
Combined with salads or mixed vegetable dishes depending on the preparation method.
Can be used as a garnish and to add a natural floral aroma to dishes.
Nutritionally, Tonkin jasmine flowers provide dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, some B vitamins, and minerals such as calcium, iron, and potassium, with nutrient levels varying depending on freshness and growing conditions.
