Know What Kind of Flowers are Edible including their Taste and Usage, and Tips on How to Grow Them

Edible Flowers nowadays become more sustainable options in growing own produce, and use as ingredients for cooking. It adds flavor, texture, color, vibrant and nutrition to any dish, these can also be used medicinally.

Edible flowers contain vitamins and minerals like potassium, calcium and iron, including flavonoids and carotenoids. Adding edible flowers in your food can adds visual appeal, great flavors and high nutritional value. It catches the eye and provides contrast in your dish too.

Many flowers are unsafe to eat than safe. It’s important that you know the identity of plant and that it’s not been exposed to pesticides.

There are some parts of the plants that known to be edible like seed or root, but that doesn’t mean the flowers are edible too. Remember if you’re not sure of the flowers, don’t eat any part of it. There are lookalike family plants where some are tasty and edible, while their close relatives are toxic and poisonous.

Common Plants with Edible Flowers:

· Apple

· Arugula

· Basil

· Chamomile

· Chicory

· Cilantro

· Cucumber

· Dandelion

· Dill

· Fennel

· Lavender

· Lemon Balm

· Lilac

· Marigold

· Mint

· Parsley

· Pea (the vegetable only)

· Pumpkin

· Redbud

· Rose

· Rosemary

· Sage

· Thyme

· Tulip

· Watermelon

Flowers that are not edible:

· Baby’s Breath

· Buttercup Ranunculus, Trollius, Caltha

· Clematis

· Columbine

· Datura / Angel’s Trumpet

· Delphinium / Larkspur

· Hydrangea

· Monkshood

· Nicotiana / Flowering Tobacco

· Petunia

· Poppy

· Sweet Pea

It’s important to know how they grown, never eat flowers that are exposed to chemicals. Edible flowers are commonly found in farmer’s markets, grocery stores, online and specialty stores.

Tips In Using Edible Flowers

In most cases of edible flowers, only the petals are suitable for consumption.

> Ensure to remove the pistil, calyx and stamens, together with bitter taste base of each petal.

> Make sure to wash them thoroughly after harvesting

> Avoid picking flowers from roadside that might have been treated with pesticides.

> If buying edible flowers ensure they are come from reputable company or farm especially if you’re purchasing online.

Do not eat flowers on bouquets that bought from florists or garden centers, these may have been sprayed with pesticides that are not intended for consumption.

> If you are allergy to pollen remove the stamen before eating.

> When in doubt, don’t eat it.

Finding edible flowers isn’t always easy. Just ensure flowers are not grown in pesticides and other harmful chemicals.

Uses of Edible Flowers

Most people enjoy flowers in vases, but flowers can be enjoyed in lots of different recipes. It has lighter and more delicate taste than most of plants. Just ensure the flavor of edible flowers will complement the dish. And only eat flowers that you are sure edible.

> Use for garnish, salads, even deserts decoration like sugared or glazed

> Use as floral cocktails

> Use in Ice Cubes by freezing the whole buds in ice cube to add surprise in summer drinks

> Use in flavored oil, vinaigrettes, Jellies and Jams

Growing Edible Flowers

Growing edible flowers at home is very ideal just to know that they are treated organically without using chemicals.

Edible flowers taste and looks good after harvest. You can grow you own edible flowers at home and have them on hand whenever you need them. You can also do flower arrangement and use it as accents to your home.

> Conduct soil test to determine the pH level of soil and fertility.

> Wait after the last frost date to transplant seedlings

> Use fertilizers and amendments that are suggested for vegetable production

> Water plants when necessary

> Continually deadhead faded flowers to encourage new flowers to grow

> Use alternative pest management for pesticides. You can scout for pest and remove them, then cut the infested plant material.

Tip in Growing Edible Flowers

> When growing edible flowers, ensure they won’t get too much foot traffic and anything on them you wouldn’t want to eat.

> Pesticides, soil toxicity, and other chemicals can make flowers inedible in an instant. When growing your own edible flowers, you have the control of their growing environment.

> Slowly introduce edible flowers in your diet to know if you have allergic reaction.

> It’s important to taste the flowers before using them in dishes to ensure it has desirable taste and compliment the dish itself.

Harvesting

> Pick the edible flowers early in the morning when their water content is at highest.

> Choose flowers that are fully opened or bloom, they should not be overripe or under. The deeper the color of the flower the higher its concentration.

> Shake to free debris and insects. To ensure no residue, you can use pastry brush to wipe it off.

Storing

> Wash them in cool water. Using ice water revitalizes the limp blossoms.

> Drain and dry thoroughly on absorbent towel. Avoid using salad spinner as it can damage those edible flowers with delicate petals.

> Use plastic container rather than plastic bag to avoid crushing them.

> Place the edible flowers on top of moist paper towel, this will increase humidity and avoid flowers from wilting.

> Keep the container in refrigerator as they will wilt and shrivel rapidly in hot weather.

> Then add them to any dish before serving.

Common Edible Flowers, Taste and Usage

Edible flowers add flavor to sweet and savory dishes. It lifts the look of most simple dishes too.

There are many edible flowers that are good in everything from salads, dessert to mixed drinks.

> Dandelion

Dandelion are full of nutrients and vitamins. It has bitter taste but with younger dandelion petals it tastes more like honey flavor. The petals can be added to salads, hamburger, cookies, cakes, and cheese spreads.

> Violet

Violet has pretty mild taste and commonly candied or crystallized, great addition to any dessert like cakes or creamy desserts.

> Rose

Rose tastes similar to their scent, like floral to gingery taste. It can be used in variety of ways in pastries and teas. You can enjoy the rose petals in cookies or make it as rose syrup or water.

> Chamomile

Chamomile has honey like sweetness. It can be enjoyed as warm chamomile tea, or use the chamomile flowers in butter and enjoy it on banana bread.

If flowers steeped too long, they become very bitter.

> Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum are edible flower that has tangy, bitter and peppery favor. It can be used in tea, salad, soups and stir fry. It is paired well with lemon, garlic, sesame and soy sauce.

> Lavender

Lavender has a distinct taste that goes well with thyme, sage and oregano. It can be used as meat marinades or vegetable stock to create tasty sauce for chicken or duck dishes. And wonderful addition to drinks, garnish for cakes, ice cream and baking.

The lavender oil can be poisonous too, the two drops of undiluted lavender oil should not be taken internally.

> Bee Balm

Bee Balm is member of mint family with minty flavor, prefect for dishes and drinks that need mint flavor.

> Squash Blossom

Squash Blossom have similar taste with squash but they are softer and more delicate. It’s enjoyed in savory dishes, and can be eaten raw, baked and served with pasta.

> Hibiscus

Hibiscus is known for their tart flavor same with pomegrate or cranberry. It’s great addition to cocktails and can be used as garnish as well.

> Marigolds

Marigold has mild citrus flavor and can be used to replicate saffron’s deep orange coloring. And great combination with butter or cream cheese.

It can be harmful in large amounts, and should be eaten in moderation.

> Nasturtium

Nasturtium has peppery taste on both flower and leaves. The leaves can be used as sauce and flowers in garnishing salads.

> Borage

Borage is a blue flower that has cool cucumber flavor, great addition to cool drinks and cocktails. It’s excellent choice for freezing ice cubes.

For lactating women, it must be avoided as more than eight flowers can cause milk to flow.

> Carnations

Carnations are best enjoyed with petals rather than the entire flower. Their petals can be used as syrup, wine or pickled, it’s also great addition to salads and rice dishes. And add zesty taste to ice cream, seafood and stir fries.

It’s recommendable to remove the white heel at the base of the petal as it has bitter taste.

> Cornflower

Cornflower has similar taste to clover, it’s slightly spicy with subtle sweetness. It’s best enjoyed into spreads and dips, and great addition to drinks and cakes. And can be used in omelets and pasta dishes.

> Orchid