Persian silk tree

Albizia julibrissin

infusion · flower

Pink pompom flowers, dried and steeped into a mild, fragrant tea, in China.

Origin

From Iran to China and Japan

Where to find it

Planted along the avenues of Beijing, Shanghai and southern Europe; in China, its dried flowers are sold in herbal shops.

Season (United States)

June to August

Preparation

One teaspoon of dried flowers per cup, five to ten minutes in barely simmering water; the infusion is strained and the flowers discarded.

Did you know?

Its leaves fold up at night, as if the tree were sleeping: in Japanese it is called “nemu no ki”, the sleeping tree.