If you’re on a plant-based diet, like to experiment with different flavors, and have a liking for food that tastes just as good as it looks – you can join our club!
Various cuisines take pride in incorporating edible flowers in their signature dishes. This practice is particularly popular in India, China, and the Middle East. The ancient Romanians were also fond of savoring their taste buds with gorgeous edible flowers.
Traditionally, squash flowers are used in Italian food whereas rose petals are commonly used in Indian food.
Edible flowers are just like herbs and give unique flavors to many dishes. However, many people agree that eating flowers isn’t the most appetizing practice which is why they have always stayed out of the mainstream food industry.
Not all flowers are safe to eat. The ones that are edible express certain characteristics to depict their gastro-friendly nature. They have unique colors and a diverse taste profile; some are bitter whereas others are spicy.
They can be eaten fresh on salads, frozen in ice cubes, minced in herbal butter or jam, jellies, teas, or beverages – there are limitless ways to use these edible beauties! Chives, echinaceas & nasturtiums have a spicy flavor profile whereas rose, lavender, and dandelion offer a sweet and delicate taste.
Edible flowers not only add color and beauty to dishes but are a good source of vitamins and minerals, especially Vitamin A & C. Their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are being researched and investigated for health benefits.
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Before You Munch on Edible Flowers Remember To:
Thoroughly wash flowers under cold water to remove dirt and small insects before consumption.
Place flowers on moist paper towels and refrigerate them in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
Don’t eat flowers that have been sprayed with pesticides or herbicides.
Eat flowers that have been grown organically (it is best to grow your own flowers).
Only those flowers that are labeled/renowned to be edible and safe are deemed fit for consumption.
It is advised to eat the petals only and discard the pistils and stamens.
If you suffer from allergies, it is advised to consult your physician before consumption. It is also advised to introduce them gradually into your diet regimen to avoid any severe reaction.
10 Flowers You Can Nibble On
Lavender
Lavender is known for its violet flowers that are small, delicate, and absolutely gorgeous.
Lavenders are mostly grown in parts of North Africa and the Mediterranean.
This perky beauty is best known for its distinct aroma and calming effects. Its subtle appearance combined with its unique flavor makes it a desirable addition to baked items, infused syrups, herbal teas, liquors, dry spice & herb mixtures.
You can use it with both sweet and savory ingredients such as citrus, berries, sage, thyme, rosemary, and chocolate.
It is best to avoid its use during pregnancy and breastfeeding as little is known about its safety. Young boys may develop gynecomastia (or enlarged breast tissue) after consuming lavender, but the condition disappears when the usage of lavender is stopped. It may also trigger an allergic reaction in people with sensitive skin or allergies.
Jasmine
The word jasmine is derived from the Persian word “Yasmine” which means “Gift of God”. Its lovely white scented flowers are commercially cultivated in different parts of the world.
Jasmine is known as the “Queen of Flowers” for its royal and soothing fragrance. It is a cult favorite ingredient in the perfume industry because of its seductive aroma.
Jasmine is also praised for offering various health benefits.
It is commonly used in tea to alleviate the aromatic experience. Jasmine-infused rice are commonly used worldwide to enhance the flavor of dishes.
You can also use Jasmine in sorbets and delectable sweet dishes. You may find that many lotions, shampoos, and skin or hair products actively use Jasmine extract to lure the customers for its scent and calming effects.
Jasmine has become a part of traditional remedies, thanks to its antioxidant-rich nature. Jasmine contains catechins and epicatechins that have the capability to soothe and relax the mind. Moreover, it improves heart and gastrointestinal health along with the promotion of healthy brain functioning.
Roses
Roses are undeniably the most seductive of all flowers. Their deep, charismatic color and velvety texture attracts humans and insects of all sorts!
All roses are edible you might want to opt for the ones expressing a darker color profile because they sport strong flavor.
There are over 150 species of roses available, and each one of them demonstrates a diverse personality and color spectrum.
You can ‘assume’ the quality of a rose by its scent; if it smells enticing, it will indeed treat your tastebuds well.
Just make sure to remove the white, bitter base before using the scented petals. Roses are mostly used to decorate cocktails and drinks in bars or pubs. They are also scattered over desserts as a garnish and subsumed into various jams for extensive flavor and color. Certain compounds in roses may reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.
Chamomile
There’s a reason why you’ll find a ‘No Tears’ formula of shampoos or soaps enriched with Chamomile; they have remarkably calming properties!
Chamomile is a floral herb that closely resembles daisies. It gives a slightly sweet, earthy flavor to food and drinks.
The flowers are heated in a liquid medium and then extracted to derive bioactive compounds that help develop syrups or other infusions for baked items.
They can be used in fresh or dried forms. This member of the Asteraceae plant family is most commonly used to make chamomile tea, which is enjoyed worldwide for its ability to attenuate anxiety and improve sleep.
Hibiscus
This member of the Mallow family boasts exuberant and vibrant petals that attract all consumers alike. Hibiscus is also commonly known as the China Rose and houses luscious, trumpet-shaped flowers with petals that exhibit a vast color palette.
It is a type of plant native to India and Malaysia. It grows in tropical and subtropical regions, including China, Thailand, Sudan, and Mexico.
All parts of Hibiscus; including the flowers, petals, seeds, and stems, are of great use to the medicinal, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and culinary industries.
The flowers, once chewed or brewed, release a cranberry-like, citrus flavor. Their flavor profile makes them desirable for use in cocktails, salad dressings, and flavored tea.
Hibiscus contains beautiful pigments called anthocyanins, which give the flowers their vibrant red color.
It also has flavonoids, phenolic acids, and organic acids. Many of these compounds act as antioxidants that protect the body from free radicals.
Oxidative stress caused by cellular damage by these radicals can lead to chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, cancers, diabetes, and heart disease. Antidiabetic and anticancer effects are the benefits of hibiscus.
Nasturtiums
They are the most versatile edible flowers that demonstrate bright-colored funnel-shaped flowers.
Their color ranges from hot pink to bright orange or gold. Nasturtiums taste like peppers; due to their spicy flavor profile, they are reserved for salads and watercress.
Nasturtiums have a variety of minerals and compounds that offer anti-inflammatory effects.
Squash Flowers
Zucchini, summer squash, and pumpkins belong to the squash family. They have a light, aerated, and fresh flavor, making them desirable for use in salads, pizza toppers, or baked with rice and cheese.
Pansies
Pansies are known for their five overlapping petals. Their structure has a dark area in the center that resembles an ink stain.
These beautiful flowers have a fresh grassy flavor and a gorgeous color profile. Therefore, they are deemed perfect candidates for use in salads, pastries, cupcakes, and cookies. They are easy to grow in preferably cool weather.
Thyme
The thyme flowers can be used in soups or salads. They can be grown in any soil type and are drought-resistant.
Mint
Mint has a lot of flavors to offer us. Some say that the flavor of mint should remain confined to tubes of toothpaste and mouthwashes only! However, there are others who disagree and prefer treating their tastebuds with its energetic flavor profile.
Peppermint pastries, Mint Chocolate chips, and sweet mint ice cream are all products derived from the cool and refreshing flavor of mint.
Mint is a diverse ingredient and can easily be incorporated in teas, jellies, and lamb dishes. It is a good source of vitamin A that is crucial for eye health and night vision. It also contains antioxidants and is most popularly known as a remedy for digestive problems. Peppermint oil reduces abdominal pain and treats irritable bowel syndrome.
The smell of the mint plant repels house flies, ants, aphids, squash bugs, fleas, mosquitoes, and mice.
Ask Away: The FAQ Section
Common chives and garlic chives are perennial edible flowers.
Yes, they can be frozen. However, this practice is avoided because once these frozen flowers thaw, their structure will disintegrate. Therefore, it is advised to make ice cubes out of them!
Most edible flowers are safe to consume for dogs as well as humans. However, it is imperative to ensure whether the flowers are treated chemically by insecticides or pesticides or exposed to similar toxins. If such is the case, it’s a big no!