Perks Of Using Edible Flowers
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Flowers delight our senses in many ways-sight, touch, and smell. It is not a surprise that some can actually be a treat to our taste buds as well! While cooking with flowers is still a fairly underused technique, it’s been around for centuries. Ancient cultures from different parts of the world have incorporated edible flowers in food for both aesthetic as well and medicinal purposes.
Fresh edible flowers are a delicious and nutritious way to add a unique twist to any meal! Whether you’re looking for a more creative garnish, a delightful burst of color, or an exciting flavor boost, edible blooms can help you transform your dishes into something truly extraordinary.
With so many varieties to choose from, you can explore the unique delicate floral flavor, aromas, and textures of each flower – from sweet and mellow honeysuckle edible flower petals to tart and piquant nasturtiums, to the spicy kick of chive flower blossoms. Get creative in the kitchen and bring an extra spark of flavor and beauty to your recipes with edible flowers.
Are you looking to add a unique and captivating twist to your culinary experiences? you can find edible flowers here. Not only do these beautiful blooms offer a visually enticing presentation, but they’re also surprisingly versatile, offering an array of flavors, textures and shapes. Whether you want to grow your own flowers in your garden, or purchase fresh flowers or dried flowers for immediate consumption, we'll guide you through the incredible world of edible flowers, so you can try the flowers you want to eat.
Growing your own edible flowers is not only easy, but it also adds a beautiful and unique touch to your dishes. Edible flowers are a unique food element with a multitude of applications, from nutrition to decorative expression. They have been consumed by people throughout centuries for their nutritive value, and still today, certain edible flowers offer healing benefits. These magical plants can even be used for artistic endeavors – like adornment in art and other craft pieces. With only edible flowers as your ingredient, the possibilities are truly endless.
The availability of popular edible flowers has grown at grocery stores and farmers' markets, with many different varieties available.
But if you want to try growing your own, most edible flowers are relatively easy to cultivate in your garden. From most herb flowers with gentle flavors to brightly-colored blossoms with added sweetness and tang, we listed down the most popular types you can enjoy when you harvest flowers growing from your own garden.
Leafing Through The History of Edible Flowers in Food
Early Romans and Greeks used roses for cooking and flavoring foods. There are also records of edible flowers in food being used as flavorful herbs and salads. In South America, the Aztecs and the Mayans also incorporated flowers in their cuisines.
Buddhist Monks were the ones to rename the calendula as the ‘pot marigold’ since it was so commonly used in ‘soup pots’.
Edible flowers were much in vogue during the Victorian era. The Victorians developed an intricate ‘language of flowers’ by utilizing them in floral encrusted sweets, pastries and other confections. Candied flowers were quite popular as the process helped preserve the delicate blooms and added texture to the dish.
Carnation flower petals were used as a key ingredient in chartreuse, a liquor created by the French during the 16th century.
A Guide To Edible Flower-Picking
The best edible flowers are a unique and delicious addition to any dish. Though not all flowers are edible, there are many common varieties that can be used to add flavor and color. Think pansies, nasturtiums, violets, roses, hibiscus, and lavender—these are just a few of the most common edible flowers available! To ensure safety, make sure to source only the flowers from trusted growers and eat only those that have been properly identified. With their burst of flavor, these flowers are sure to taste delightful.
Edible flowers add a burst of color and a lovely texture to all kinds of dishes. A single borage petal placed delicately can uplift a slice of humble sponge cake to one that’s fit to be on a patisserie counter. But before you venture out to the garden to pick some blooms for the dinner table, it's crucial that you know which varieties are actually edible.
It's beneficial to keep in mind that:
Some flowers are poisonous, so be sure to have positive identification before you use them for eating purposes
Avoid flowers that have been exposed to pesticides
Organic or otherwise, all flowers need to be washed in cold water before use, as they could be home to bugs
Always pick flowers in the morning as the water content is the highest in the mornings. Prepare them just before serving so that they remain fresh.
Avoid eating the stamens and styles as pollen can cause allergic reactions in some people. While some flowers like pansies, violas, clover and honeysuckle are best enjoyed whole, make sure they are suited to your dietary specifications.
Choose your Edible Bud
There’s a bouquet of choices available when it comes to edible flowers. This list is in no way comprehensive, but it’s great as starter’s handbook to get cooking with flowers and to find out what flowers you can eat.
Calendula
This bright, sunny hued marigold flower is considered the ‘poor man’s saffron’. Back in the day, calendula petals were added to vegetable stews, earning them the nickname of ‘Pot Marigold’. The edible part of this flower used in cooking is the petal.
The petal’s sharp taste actually resembles that of saffron. Along with this, calendula petals lend a beautiful golden tint to the foods they're cooked in. Add them to a rice recipe and watch the flower diffuse its beautiful yellow-orange color into the rice. You can also use calendula as a garnish over soups and salads, or even as herbaceous butter made with some crushed petals.
Borage Blossoms
Among the most photogenic edible flowers in food, Borage is one historically important bud! In the Elizabethan Age, borage-infused drinks were offered to soldiers heading into battle to create feelings of elation and adrenaline. Since then, it has been used in innumerable imaginative ways in the kitchen thanks to its cucumber-like flavor. Candied borage flowers are a delicious addition to desserts or as cake toppings.
You can also toss in the buds and chopped up stems in a salad or to soups such as gazpacho. Since borage is a spring flower, it adds a beautiful, refreshing note to any summer cocktail. Hold on, did I mention pasta filling? Yes! Fresh borage mixed with some blue cheese is a very popular gnocchi (how long do gnocchi last?) dish.
Blossoms are a delightful and nutritious addition to any meal that has a sweet taste. Squash blossoms have a delicate flowery flavor, while apple blossoms and chive blossoms have subtle lemon and citrus tones. To make the most of their sweet taste, try using just the petals in your recipes. Enjoy these unique flavors - make your dishes creative, exquisite, and unique.
Lavender
What’s better than smelling a flower that takes away all your stresses with its earthy, floral fragrance? Well, I’d say eating it! Lavender is one of the edible flowers in food that has been scientifically proven to have great effects, from reducing anxiety and boosting calmness to promoting sleep even. What’s more, this super flower proves its mettle in the kitchen as well. It complements savory dishes with the same finesse as it does with the sweeter ones.
Lavender infusion is a great way to incorporate the slightly sweet flavor of the flower in your cooking. For baking, grind up some lavender flowers with sugar, or infuse them with cream or butter as well. Since the flower has a strong and assertive flavor, use it sparingly and make sure to pair it with something acidic or fresh, such as lemon or rosemary. For example, lemon-lavender pound cake or a winter salad with honey-lavender dressing.
Nasturtiums
Another kitchen garden favorite, Nasturtium is loved for its bright yellowish-orange petals and their sweet, peppery flavor. The entire plant, i.e. flower and leaves, are edible in both fresh and cooked forms. The leaves are generally enjoyed ground as a pesto, or even as wrappers for savory appetizers.
The flowers make for intensely colored infusions such as salad dressings or even crushed with some coarse sea salt (how long does sea salt last?) as a seasoning. And of course, Nasturtium flower garnishes elevate the aesthetics of any dish they’re added to. Apart from being a delicious element, these flowers have a host of health benefits as well. The plant is packed with Vitamin C, which is useful for keeping your skin and immunity in the best possible form.
Roses
Ever thought of ditching the bouquet and instead cooking a rose-inspired meal for your loved one? As aromatic and beautiful as they are, roses are equally enchanting ingredients in sweet and savory dishes. This versatile flower can be used in a number of forms. From featuring in a dry herb mix, butter, vinaigrette to jams and pickles, rose recipes put your imagination to the test.
Traditionally, roses have been a star ingredient in several Mediterranean recipes such as ras al hanout, Turkish delight and several rice-based dishes. In South-east Asia, rose-flavored kulfi is a treat that most people grow up with. Western cooking incorporates rose with refreshing flavors of cucumber, cinnamon and apple to name a few. Since it’s quite an intense and aromatic ingredient, cooking with roses requires restraint and balance.
Coriander Flowers
Easily among the most-loved herb around the world, Coriander otherwise known as cilantro or parsley, spouts little white flowers that are jam packed with that fresh herby flavor. The blossoms are usually used along with the herb itself for a refreshing balance to some rich flavors.
Coriander edible flowers in food go well with ingredients such as cream cheese, avocado, smoked salmon, and lemongrass among others. The pretty miniature flowers are perfect for garnishing rustic-looking dishes such as pies or tarts.
Hibiscus
Also known as Jamaica Flower, Hibiscus is a popular edible flower around the world. Its vivacious crimson color gets the appetite going, while its tart flavor adds a tangy kick to every dish it features in. The go-to recipe with hibiscus is that of a punch or sherbet.
A simple mix of hibiscus tea (how long does hibiscus tea last?) with honey, lemon, and ice is a pick-me-up summer drink like no other. If you prefer experimenting a bit, then try making a hibiscus sauce with sugar and water, cooked on a low flame. Serve the sauce with some sheet cake or baked salmon even. Or, perhaps you fancy a hibiscus, strawberry, and mint granita? The variation of using hibiscus in the kitchen is endless. To top it all off, this beautiful flower offers great health benefits along with its refreshing flavor.
The best edible flowers offer an interesting way to add flavor and natural beauty to food recipes. While not all flowers can be eaten, there is still a wide variety of common edible flower options ranging from dainty violas to flavorful nasturtiums. Be sure to identify your flowers before eating and to eat only the flowers that are specifically identified as edible. With the right knowledge, you can unlock a world of fun and delicious flower taste.
I hope this list of edible flowers in food have you peering into your front porch garden and evaluating the potential of those buds! Now that you know the basics of cooking with edible flowers, let your instincts blossom and guide you through the process.
