Champaca

Magnolia champaca · Edible flower

40 pairings

Champaca is the narrow, saffron-orange flower of Magnolia champaca, a tropical magnolia whose scent sits between tea, orange blossom and ripe magnolia with a warm animalic undertone. In South and Southeast Asia it perfumes tea, sweets and garlands; in perfumery it is one of the great and costly white florals.

Picking a good onedrag

Just opened, scent full and warmBrowned and slack, scent gone sour

Fresh that dayScent only - the flower comes back out. Use ones grown for food: florist, garden-centre and roadside champaca is sprayed to ornamental clearances.Food-grade only

The tepalsFull colour still, an outer strap curled back or creased

One blossom in the handSofter, a strap bends and stays bent without tearing

Smell up closeClearly floral still, the tea note quieter than the orange

What to look for, from just opened, scent full and warm to browned and slack, scent gone sour.

Preparing