Eating in China
Generated illustration of luanxi leaves (Pluchea indica).

Luanxi leaves (Pluchea indica)

栾樨叶Luánxī yè

Aromatic leaves of Pluchea indica, called luanxi or kuobaoju in Chinese.

Type
Vegetables

A CLOSER LOOK

How to recognize it

Green, obovate to oblong leaves with a tapered base, fine toothed edges and a blunt or slightly pointed tip.

In the kitchen

Leaf juice gives Shunde luanxi nine-layer rice cake its green color and herbal aroma. The leaves are processed before being mixed into rice batter.

This is luanxi leaf, not mugwort or pandan. Plant appearance alone is not a guide to gathering edible wild leaves.

Ask about this ingredient

这道菜里有栾樨叶吗?

Does this dish contain Luanxi leaves (Pluchea indica)?

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