Catching up with my reading. Thanks for posting this about your friend from China. It brought a big smile to my face.
At our local swap I see my Chinese friend Lu Fang twice a year. He spends most of his time near the food table.
When making his selections from the plants offered his first question is always, "Can I eat this; is it food?" Each year I try to bring one special plant for the hostess and always one special edible plant for Lu.