Lanzhou Lily Bulb

The Lanzhou lily is the bulb of a Lilium species grown around Qidaoliang and Xiguoyuan in the Qilihe district, with large, thick, ivory-white scales; it is the only lily in the world sweet enough to eat as a dessert, and may be eaten raw, stir-fried, made into congee or canned.

Lanzhou lily cultivation began under the Tongzhi reign of the Qing, handed down among farmers in Huangyu, Xiguoyuan and nearby villages of Qilihe, where altitude, temperature swings and soil produce its large, sweet scales, making it a renowned Lanzhou product protected as a national geographical indication in 2004.

The bulb serves both sweet and savoury: honey-steamed lily and lily-snow-fungus soup are banquet sweets, while celery-stir-fried lily and lily with shrimp are clean-tasting hot dishes; simmered into congee or broth it turns soft and gently sweet, most soothing in the height of summer.

The large, white, dessert-sweet scales and the cooling, moistening nature of the bulb are what set the Lanzhou lily apart from lilies grown elsewhere.