Orchid Ginger is a lush, clumping perennial herb in the Zingiberaceae, ginger family native to tropical Southeast Asia and parts of South Asia, spanning regions including Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar, and India. The flowers look surprisingly more like orchids than other members of the ginger family.

Culinary Uses

We sell orchid ginger flowers fresh for garnish and dried for use as a tea with floral ginger notes good for its digestive properties. We use both the fresh and dried flowers to make our Orchid Ginger Syrup. We also make a fizzy fermented beverage and fermented sambal condiment with ginger flowers.

Wellness Uses

The core phytochemical groups found in Alpinia mutica leaves: phenolics, flavonoids, and essential oil terpenoids, are broadly shared across various tissues of the plant family Zingiberaceae, oncluding the flowers, though exact concentration ratios and specific individual compounds can vary. Scientific literature specific to Alpinia mutica mainly documents the leaf and rhizome/fruit chemistry,

Traditional Uses

The dried root and rhizome of Alpinia officinarum Hance (A. officinarum) have been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years to alleviate pain, promote digestion, warm the stomach, and disperse cold. In traditional Malay ethnomedicine, rhizome infusions treat digestion problems and stomachaches, and fruit preparations reduce inflammation. Local communities in regions like Kalimantan use parts of the plant as traditional cooling powders for the skin.

Pharmacological and Bioactive Properties

Antioxidant & antiobesity agent: Alpinia mutica Roxb. possesses diverse phytochemicals with potential as treatment modalities in managing diabetes and obesity.

Antimicrobial Effects: Extracts display variable inhibitory properties against common bacteria and fungi.

Cytotoxicity: Research on isolated compounds from the rhizome—such as flavokawin B and 5,6-dehydrokawain demonstrates significant cytotoxicity against specific human cancer cell lines in vitro.

Bioactive Compounds: The plant contains active terpenes, diarylheptanoids, and antioxidants that contribute to gastrointestinal and anti-inflammatory support.

Clitoria ternatea, the butterfly pea, is native to the Indonesian island of Ternate, though its range extends across tropical Asia, Africa, and the Americas, thriving in humid, tropical regions as a climbing vine with a wide ethnobotanical application: food, dye, and traditional medicine. We grow a variety of shades of colour of this flowering vine and sell it fresh, dried and processed into beverages.

Culinary Use

FOOD COLOURING

The flowers are traditionally used in the Nusantara region to colour rice and kueh. We use both fresh and dried flowers to colour our syrups and beverages.

GARNISH, SALAD INGREDIENT

Flowers add a nice colour accent as a garnish to dishes and drinks or in baked goods - flowers can be torn or julienned for smaller accents. They also work well mixed into salads.

BEVERAGES

Butterfly Pea Tea | Butterfly Pea Syrup | Fermented Butterfly Pea + Thai basil + Lime

The flower imparts a deep blue colour to liquids which we blend with peppermint to make a tea and a botanical syrup that also has cooling digestive properties. The fermented beverage turns purple as it builds acidity and i saccented with other South east Asian Flavours: Thai Basil and Calimansi Lime.

Wellness Uses

No large controlled clinical trials in humans have conclusively validated these effects. Traditional uses in Ayurveda and folk medicine are widespread but vary regionally.

Antioxidant Activity

FBoth leaves and fowers are rich in anthocyanins and polyphenols, showing strong antioxidant properties that help combat oxidative stress and protect cells from free radical damage.1

Anti-inflammatory & Wound Healing

Flower extracts exhibit anti-inflammatory effects and enhance wound healing in cell-based studies.2

Antidiabetic Potential

Studies report that flower extracts can inhibit carbohydrate-digesting enzymes (α-amylase, α-glucosidase), potentially supporting glycemic control.3

Hypolipidemic and Cardiometabolic Support

Flower extracts may help lower cholesterol, improve insulin sensitivity, and reduce lipid accumulation.4

Antimicrobial Effects

Some extracts show antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in vitro.5

Neuroprotective & Nootropic Effects

Traditional uses and some animal models support benefits for memory and nervous system protection.6

Antimicrobial and Gastrointestinal Support

Leaf extracts show antimicrobial potential and have been used in traditional systems for wound healing, gastrointestinal aid, and anti-inflammatory effects.7

Bidens pilosa, known as Spanish Needle or Blackjack, is native to the Americas, particularly Central and South America, but has spread globally as a common invasive weed in tropical and warm temperate regions, noted for its barbed seeds that cling to fur and clothing.

Culinary Uses

Fresh Edible Flowers

The small daily like appearance of the flower makes it attractive for use as garnish on a variety of dishes, including sides, salads and mains.

Dried Flower Tea

Sometimes called Wild or Spanish Chamomile, dried Spanish Needle flowers make a great alternative to chamomile for use as a herbal tea with a deep golden colour and grassy flavour.

Wellness uses

Major chemical constituents (including 301 compounds) belonging to polyacetylenes, polyacetylene glycosides, flavonoids, flavone glycosides, aurones, chalcones, okanin glycosides, phenolic acids, terpenes, pheophytins, fatty acids and phytosterols have been identified or isolated from the different parts of this plant. Many of them have been considered as the bioactive compounds which are potentially responsible for the pharmacological actions.

Various types of preparations, extracts and individual compounds derived from this plant have been found to possess biological and pharmacological activities such as anti-malarial, anti-allergy, anti-hypertensive and smooth muscle relaxant, anti-cancerogenic, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, antioxidant. The results of data analysis on the chemicals, pharmacological and toxicological characteristics of B. pilosa validate the view of its folk worldwide-medicinal uses.1

Tagetes Erect is native to Mexico and Central America but wisely distributed globally. The flowers are rich in carotenoids and are used to make food and feed pigments. The English name marigold comes from their petals' arrangement resembling Calendula officinalis.

Culinary Uses

Marigold Flower & Florets

FRESH

When the flowers are separated into florets, they are ideal to use as a bright orange accent garnish on mains and salads.

DRIED

We also offer the florets dry which make them more suited for garnishing baked goods or ice cream.

Marigold Flower Tea

WHOLE DRIED FLOWERS

Although distinct and different from Chrysanthemum tea, Marigold flower tea is sometimes marketed in East Asia as a type of “chrysanthemum tea” (万寿菊, Wànshòu jú, meaning ten thousand longevity chrysanthemum. Both belong to the same plant family (Asteraceae), which is why they share some similar flavour notes and medicinal properties. Marigold flower tea however has a distinct, strong floral and sometimes slightly citrusy or herbaceous flavor. Dried whole blooms are best for this use.

Fermented Marigold Flower Beverage

When we have abundant supply of flowers we make a fermented flower beverage that is sparkling and tangy.

Wellness Uses

The discovery of lutein in T. erecta marked a significant shift, emphasizing its role in macular health and preventing aging-related macular degeneration. Clinically, lutein trials reveal cognitive, visual, cardiovascular, and systemic health enhancements, substantiating its potential therapeutic benefits.

Pharmacologically, it demonstrates significant anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, and anticancer properties. Today, T. erecta is recognized globally for its rich carotenoid content. There is a wide range of research indicating that lutein supplementation improves working memory performance, body composition, and lipid profile in cognitively healthy older adults and middle-aged obese individuals, reducing visceral fat and LDL cholesterol levels. In healthy women, lutein complex supplementation increased biomarkers of ocular blood flow and reduced diastolic blood pressure. In patients with high myopia and healthy adults, lutein significantly increased the optical density of macular pigment, suggesting benefits for eye health, such as improved contrast sensitivity, reduced visual fatigue, and increased nutrient levels in blood and breast milk.1

The Morus species in the Moraceae family is fairly wide ranging one with the one we grow being Morus Australis or Chinese Mulberry native to East and South east Asia.

We grow them in pots to keep the trees smaller and easier to harvest. Although we harvest the fruit, it is not as flavourful as some other Mulberry types so our main focus is in harvesting the leaves which we dry and additionally ferment for culinary use.

Culinary Uses

Short Fermented Mulberry Leaf Tea

Mulberry leaf tea is herbal tea alternative to green tea if you are looking for a green tea alternative that is caffeine free which can be enjoyed hot or cold. They have a short fermentation period, then sun dried after, yielding a more deeply flavoured tea

Long Fermented Mulberry Seasoning

Longer ferments yields more funky umami flavours - almost like seaweed or vegan belacan - so can be used in that way to flavour sauces, sit fries or even grilled potatoes and vegetables.

Wellness Uses

Mulberry leaf can be used as supplements and functional foods to prevent and alleviate metabolic diseases including obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases. Mulberry leaf tea, can manage hyperglycemia and type 2 diabetes.

Alkaloids, polyphenols, phytoalexins, polysaccharides, and fibers are the main bioactive compounds in mulberry leaf and they are associated with hypoglycemic, lipid, and urate-lowering activities important for the prevention and managing metabolic diseases. 1-Deoxynojirimycin and fagomine are among the alkaloids in mulberry leaf, which exhibit α-glucosidase inhibitory activity and enhance insulin sensitivity important for glucose homeostasis and hypoglycemic effect. Also, mulberry leaf bioactive compounds provide prebiotic functions to the gut microbiota1

When we further ferment the leaves - they not not only improve and modify their flavoour profiles, they additionally offer enhanced health benefits due to fermentation boosting bioactive compounds like flavonoids, polyphenols, and 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), intensifying its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and blood sugar-regulating (anti-diabetic) properties. This functional beverage helps manage metabolic issues like diabetes and high cholesterol, improves gut health, supports liver function, and offers cardiovascular protection, making it a powerful traditional medicine and superfood ingredient.2

Wild Mint Mentha arvensis or Field Mint is native to a wide region: Europe, western and central Asia and North America. It thrives in moist habitats such as wetlands, stream banks, and ditches, and is often found in temperate forests and riparian areas.

It has the same primary active ingredient: menthol found in Peppermint Mentha piperita responsible for it’s characteristic cooling effect and aroma. We grow wild mint because it grows more easil here in the tropics

Belonging to the Lamiaceae family, it is commercially valuableused in the preparation of herbal formulations, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and in food industries. Due to the presence of potential secondary metabolites, mints were employed to treat various disorders since ancient times in traditional medicines. 1

Both plants contain a complex mix of monoterpenes and other compounds (like menthone, menthyl acetate, tannins, and flavonoids) which contribute to their unique flavor profiles and medicinal properties. Peppermint generally has a stronger, more pungent flavor due to its higher menthol content, while other mints like Spearmint have much lower menthol content and a milder taste.

Culinary Uses

Wild mint being stronger in flavour does better in beverages, dessert and sweet type foods pairing well with chocolate. We use the fresh leaves to make our Blue pea & Mint Syrup. The fresh leaves are also pupular with our beverage/bar clients who infuse it in alcohol.

The dried version is milder and pleasant on its own or in tea blends served as a digestive after meals,

Medicinal Uses

Mentha arvensis has been utilized in diverse traditional medicines as an antidiabetic, anticarcinogenic, antiallergic, antifungal, and antibacterial agent. It aids digestion by relaxing stomach muscles to help with issues like indigestion, bloating, and gas, acting as a carminative and antispasmodic, and its menthol content is key to its soothing effect. It is traditionally used in various forms, such as teas or decoctions, for gastrointestinal discomfort and nausea.

Studies suggest that Mentha arvensis extract possesses potent pharmacological potentials, particularly in terms of antibacterial, anti-diabetic, and cytotoxic effects. Particularly, Luteolin and Rosmarinic acid were identified as the top contenders for potential bioactivity with acceptable drug-like properties.

Growing Conditions

Morning sun, semi shady location. Easy to propagate from cuttings.

They are naturally dried in the sun under glass which makes both our energy costs and carbon footprint low. Smaller varieties dry the same day in a matter of hours , some require to be brought in, stored overnight in our chiller to finish the following day. They all store well in dried sealed glass containers and are shelf stable for at least 6 months. We can ship them in 50gm packets all over peninsula Malaysia.

They have great flavours and aromas and make excellent choices for infusions in beverages or to make your own tea blends. Combine them with our dried flowers to add interesting colours.

Some dried leaves like Lemon Marigold (citrusy), Clove Leaf (like Cloves but milder) can add interesting notes to infusions for cocktails.

Some, like our short fermented Mulberry Leaves and dried Cranberry Hibiscus Leaf make delicious, caffeine free teas. Some we keep in good supply as they have proven to be popular with our clients but we also have some that are unusual and are still waiting for a creative chef, baker or mixologist to discover.

Our dried leaves provide our clients with interesting unusual flavours as well as local, organic and sustainable narratives to add value to their brands.

We are still working on cataloguing a pantry list so we recommend that you arrange a visit with us to review our pantry first hand to take in the flavours and fragrances to make a selection. If interested contact Chris on whatsapp and send us details about your business name, type, exact location and any links to your website and social media and we will take it to the next step.

Cranberry Hibiscus is a red leaved tropical plant native to central and southern Africa, naturalized in forest edges and savannahs. It has since been widely introduced and cultivated for its edible leaves and ornamental qualities in tropical and subtropical areas globally, including South America, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean.

Culinary Uses

The leaves are nice in salads or pretty for garnish. They have a tart, cranberry. sorrel like flavour.

The dried leaves make an attractive dark pink tea with a fruity flavour reminiscent of rose hips tea and are rich in bioactive and phenolic compounds that have been traditionally used for improving human health.

The most abundant phenolic compound in H. acetosella is caffeic acid1, with levels ranging from 14.95 to 42.93 mg/100 g ( for comparison coffee has 9 to 14 mg per 100g of turning into much higher levels, such as 63.1-96.0 mg per 100 when brewed ).

Wellness Uses

Caffeic acid is a natural polyphenol compound found in many plants, including coffee, fruits, and vegetables, and is a major dietary source of hydroxycinnamic acids. which exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and neuroprotective properties, helping to protect against inflammation, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. The antioxidant activity has shown effective against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.