French hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)

Family: Hydrangeaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Bloom Color: Blue, Lavender, Pink, Purple, Red, White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Early spring, Late summer, Late spring, Mid summer, Mid spring. Form: Rounded.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

sweet and are used to make a sweet tea called 'tea of heaven', it is used in Buddhist ceremonies. — The young leaves, when dried and rubbed between the hands, become very sweet and are used to make a sweet tea called 'tea of heaven', it is used in Buddhist ceremonies.; The leaves contain phellodulcin (its chemical formula is C16 H14 O), a very sweet substance that can be used as a sugar substitute.; One small leaf is sufficient to sweeten a cup of tea.; The older leaves can be dried, powdered and used as a flavouring on foods.

Habitat & North American Range

Sunny places near the coast of E. Japan. (Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)