The Chives Chinese Garlic, Jiu, Cai, Gau Choy, 'Allium tuberosum', has leaves, flower buds, and flowers that have a delightful mild garlic flavor. They can be grown in containers and also can be grown inside. When young, the Chinese Garlic Chives' leaves and flower buds, have an oniony, honey-like, garlic flavor. Chinese Garlic Chive plants are 18 inches tall have flat leaves, 1/4 inch wide, and 10 to 18 inches long. The white flowers on tubular stems are produced in mid to late summer.
All parts of the Chives plant is excellent in Asian cooking. Stir fry leaves and /or the buds with meat, liver, poultry, noodles, soups, scrambled eggs, and even deep fried. Chives foliage is used as garnish to compliment onions, potatoes, asparagus, cauliflower, corn, tomatoes, peas, carrots, spinach, poultry, fish, shell fish, creamy sauces, cheese and eggs. Plant in the early spring as soon as the soil can be worked or 2 months before first fall frost. Chives prefer rich, well drained soil.