Can you eat qingming vegetable when it has flowered?

Qingming vegetable usually refers to Gnaphalium affine. Generally speaking, it is edible even after flowering, but proper cleaning is necessary. The details are as follows:

Gnaphalium affine is a wild vegetable commonly found in spring. Even after flowering, its edibility remains unaffected and it is still safe to consume. Qingming vegetable not only has a delicious taste but is also rich in various nutrients such as calcium ions, vitamin A, vitamin C, and carotene. These components help strengthen bones, improve night blindness, prevent myopia, boost immunity, and provide antioxidant and anti-aging benefits.

When consuming Gnaphalium affine, whether eating it fresh after picking the whole plant, thoroughly washing it, and briefly boiling it in hot water, or using it dried, its unique flavor and nutritional value can be preserved. However, it is recommended to wash it carefully before consumption to remove the fine surface fuzz, which might otherwise affect the texture.

During cooking, it's advisable to extend the cooking time appropriately to soften the fibrous parts as much as possible, thereby improving the overall texture.