Regarding bulb color and taste, I'll reiterate that in China it is generally thought that the more darkly colored a lily bulb is, the more bitter. This was told to me by someone who lived in China for quite some time. I have no idea if it is just a wives' tale, or even how regional the sentiment might be; China is a big country.
But I don't think I he meant yellow or dark yellow, rather, the tints of maroon that accompany some bulbs. And this would be the color as seen directly out of the ground, not exposed to light, open air or any environment not in the ground. I can also speak from experience here, as Lilium davidii bulbs are so far the sweetest I have tasted: here they are, (1) dug out of the ground, and (2) exposed to the above ground environment.
