A CLOSER LOOK
How to recognize it
Small clustered flowers of Buddleja officinalis, called mimenghua or yellow-rice flowers.
In the kitchen
Fresh or dried flowers are steeped or boiled; the strained liquid colors glutinous rice yellow and adds floral aroma.
The culinary material is the flower cluster. It is not gardenia fruit, turmeric or a generic ornamental butterfly bush.
Ask about this ingredient
这道菜里有密蒙花（染饭花）吗？
Does this dish contain Buddleja officinalis flowers?
A few dishes to explore
These examples use this ingredient in typical or optional preparations. Open the dish to see the distinction; a restaurant’s recipe can differ.
