Different delicacies made using sophora flowers. [Photo/WeChat account: rugaofabu]

Sophora flowers grow on sophora trees. The flowers of the sophora tree bloom in late August and early September and they are usually reaped just before the tree comes into bloom, then dried in the sun for medical use or eating.

Sophora flowers are part of the childhood memories of many people who used to harvest the flower with their friends and bring them home for their mom to cook.

Here are some common delicacies made using sophora flowers.

Steamed purple sweet potatoes with sophora flowers

Mix smashed, well-cooked purple sweet potato and sophora flowers with glutinous rice flour, cooking oil, and honey and knead them into dough. Put smaller pieces of the dough into a steamer to steam for about 20 minutes after pressing them into a flower-shaped mold.

Steamed eggs with sophora flowers

Whisk the egg and sophora flowers together, add some warm water to the mixture, steam for 10 minutes, and spray some soy sauce and sesame oil before enjoying.

Pancake with sophora flowers

Whisk the egg, sophora flowers, and some salt together, add some flour and water, pour the paste into the pan with oil, and fry until both sides turn gold.

Cold tofu with sophora flowers

Make the dressing with soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, diced spicy millet, and mashed garlic, and spray it over blanched sophora flowers and diced tofu.

Sophora flowers tea

Dried sophora flowers can also be used to make tea. According to traditional Chinese medicine, sophora flowers can cool down blood temperature to normal level, stop bleeding, and decrease inflammation in the liver. It is best drunken in the summer.