Nanohana or Na No Hana (Brassica campestris) is the
Japanese name for rape blossom; are rapeseed plants which are widely eaten as spring greens in
Japan. Boiled Nanohana plants are dressed with Karashi
mustard dressing. Use tender nanohana plants with
flower buds.
The nanohana plant is entirely edible, and the plant it is also the source of healthy Canola oil. Nanohana is a springtime flower, and in some areas of Japan you can find fields of the flower formed into mazes so visitors can wander through the blossoms and enjoy their beauty. Nanohana
bloom just before sakura here in Japan, so they are kind of a prelude to spring, even though they are beautiful in their own right.
Nanohana, in Japanese literally translates into '
Vegetable Flower' but it also can be read to mean
wild flower, or flower of the field. the
plant is completely edible. March, is the Nanohana
season for most of Japan.Nanohana in Japan are also celebrated in the art and culture of Japan, such as in clothing patterns, souvenir books, toys, gift arrangements, candles, and a Nano Hana
sweet traditionally made with azuki
beans available in the early spring at many Japanese markets which look like Nanohana flowers.
Nanohana is called Hanana in Kyoto.
Read more …