Can roses be eaten in various ways? Fried roses, rose jelly, rose rice cakes, rose sweet wine, rose ice jelly... Recently, at Yunnan University, 400 kilograms of roses are served on the dining tables every day, with more than 30 dishes in high demand, cooked through steaming, roasting, boiling, and frying, taking the concept of "one flower, many dishes" to the extreme. Namely, you can taste the sweet flavor of spring here!

Rose petals coated with egg and flour are fried to maintain vibrant color. Double-layered steamed milk pudding is infused with a hint of rose fragrance. Before serving sweet and sour pork, a handful of rose petals are sprinkled over it for a pleasant floral sweetness. These are the delicacies featured in Yunnan University's "Flower Feast", an annual event that can only be savored in April, showcasing the taste of spring.

#RoseFeastatYunnanUniversityCanteen# has recently become a hot topic on multiple social media platforms, attracting numerous online viewers who expressed that they were drooling over the delicacies.

Tomorrow (April 20th) is the 100th anniversary of Yunnan University. Alumni of Yunnan University who wish to taste the "Flower Feast" can log in to the "Yunda Alumni" mini program, complete the electronic alumni card information, and after approval, swipe the electronic alumni card for free access without making an appointment.

Since 2015, Yunnan University has been cultivating edible roses to support its students and research projects, primarily focusing on the "Damask" and "Dianhong" varieties. The cultivation has now expanded to over 30 acres. These roses are pesticide-free and rely on manual weeding. Even in the summer when they are most vulnerable to red spider mites, the petals can be picked, washed and eaten raw.

As the edible rose project progresses, why not let all teachers and students taste it? In 2018, the catering department of Yunnan University began picking edible roses to make dishes. The same year, the "Rose Feast" was officially launched, featuring more than 10 dishes such as fried roses, double-layered steamed milk pudding, and rose rice cakes, which were widely praised.

"Not only visually appealing but the cuisine is delicious with a rose fragrance in every bite," said a student from Yunnan University. Dining on this meal is kind of like sitting in a rose field. At the canteen, the window offering the "Flower Feast" has a long queue and the new dishes are sold out within ten minutes.

With an average price of three yuan per dish and the most expensive priced at four yuan each, the unique-tasting rose dishes are being sold at "bargain prices" at Yunnan University. Taking advantage of their planting and sourcing locally, a variety of dishes can be enjoyed for just 20 yuan. At present, Yunnan University's rose garden produces 6 tons annually and one-third of it is being served at the table. In addition to its original menu, more than 30 new dishes have been created under the "Flower Feast."

Rose custodians at Yunnan University pick up the flowers in the early morning and transport the petals to the canteen for cleaning and processing by 9 a.m. From the field to the table, the process takes only four hours, making it possible to savor the taste of spring. However, the rose flowering period is short, and the "Flower Feast" is only served for one month each year. After May Day, the floral dishes will gradually be taken offline, so if you miss it, you'll have to wait until next year. Currently, the Yunnan University canteen is only open to teachers and students, so take the opportunity to taste these floral dishes this spring!