What Is puha plants?

Answer 1

Puha plants are an edible thistle called Sonchus. They are also known by the name Sow Thistle and Hare Lettuce/Thistle, These names originate from Sonchus' regular use as a source of fodder for lactating Sows and also for Rabbits. It grows widely throughout the world and is considered a noxious weed in many places.

However in New Zealand, it is called Puha or Rauriki, and has long been used as a staple part of the traditional Maori diet. The young plants were often preferred as the leaves were less bitter than those of the more mature plants.

The Puha plant can grow anywhere from 30 cm in height to over a meter/100 cm.

It has light to dark green elongated leaves and produces a bright yellow flower similar to those of the Dandelion and Succory. The Properties of the Puha flower are so similar to Dandelion and Succory in fact that Puha flowers are often used for the same medicinal purposes.

Common culinary uses for the Puha plant include salads and soups, more often using the younger less bitter leaves. It was also used with meats such as Pork, and Moa meat, and more recently, since white settlement, Beef and mutton.

The older more bitter leaves are often added to the cooking approximately 20 minutes prior to the dish being served.

Another common use is in boil-ups. Pork bones and Puha has in fact become synonymous with Modern Maori culture to the extent it is often used as a stereotypical reference to "being Maori".