In Asia, they symbolise happiness, vitality, life and rebirth, making them great gifts for baby showers - but offer someone in France a Chrysanthemum, and they may not feel so great about it, the flower being strongly associated with death in European culture.

This flowering plant has deep roots in Chinese culture, where it has been cultivated for over 2,500 years.  Not just a pretty face, chrysanthemums are also culinary stars in Asia. The petals make a cameo in soothing teas, while in Korea, gukhwaju—a rice wine spiked with chrysanthemum flowers—adds a floral note to happy hours. The flowers can also be thrown in to flavour a thick, hearty snake meat soup that might just have you questioning your culinary conservatism.

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