Flowers that are used as a garnish or as an integral part of a dish, such as a salad. Not all flowers are edible. Those that are must usually be purchased from specialty produce markets or supermarkets that carry gourmet produce. They can be stored, tightly wrapped, in the refrigerator up to a week. Flowers that have been sprayed with pesticides (such as those found at florists') should never be eaten. Some of the more popular edible flowers are: the peppery-flavored nasturtiums; chive blossoms, which taste like a mild, sweet onion; pansies and violas, both with a flavor reminiscent of grapes; and perfumy, sweet roses. Other edible flowers include: almond, apple, borage, chamomile, lavender, lemon, lovage, mimosa, orange, peach, plum and squash blossoms, chrysanthemums, daisies, geraniums, jasmine, lilacs, marigolds and violets. Edible flowers may be used culinarily in a variety of ways. They make colorful, striking garnishes for drinks as well as food-for everything from salads to soups to desserts. Some of the larger flowers such as squash blossoms can be stuffed and deep-fried.
Edible flowers
| Food Lover's Companion: edible flowers |
| 5min Related Video: Edible flowers |
| Wikipedia: Edible flowers |
 |
This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations where appropriate. (April 2009) |
Edible flowers are flowers that can be eaten. Edible flowers may be preserved for future use using techniques such as drying, freezing or steeping in oil. They can be used in drinks, jellies, salads, soups, syrups and main dishes. Flower-flavoured oils and vinegars are made by steeping edible flower petals in these liquids. Candied flowers are crystallized using egg white and sugar (as a perservative).
Contents |
Common edible flowers
- Artichoke (flower bud)
- Broccoli (flower buds)
- Cauliflower (flower buds)
- Chamomile (for tea)
- Chives (flowers or buds)
- Chrysanthemum (flower)
- Citrus blossoms (lemon, orange, lime, grapefruit)
- Clover
- Daisies (Bellis perennis quills)
- Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale leaves, roots, flowers, petals, buds)
- Daylilies (Hemerocallis buds, flowers, petals)
- Elderflower (blossoms for drink)
- Hibiscus
- Honeysuckle
- Jasmine (for tea)
- Lilac (salads)
- Nasturtium (blossoms and seeds)
- Osmanthus fragrans (flower)
- Pansies (Viola x Wittrockiana flowers, petals)
- Pot Marigolds (Calendula officinalis petals with white heel removed)
- Roses (Rosa petals with white heel removed, rose hips)
- Sesbania grandiflora (flower)
- Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus buds, petals, seeds)
- Violet ('leaf and flowers in salads, candied flowers for pastry decoration')
- Zucchini blossoms (blossoms)
Risks
Some flowers are toxic, others may be edible only after appropriate preparations. Toxic flowers may be misidentified as edible when gathered. Allergic reactions are possible, especially from eating pollen. Both gathered flowers and those from a commercial grower may have been sprayed with toxic pesticides. Damaged, dirty or insect-ridden flowers may be unsafe to eat. Some flowers are not safe if eaten often.
See also
References
- Barash, Cathy Wilkinson. Edible Flowers from Garden to Palate. Golden: Fulcrum Publishing, 1993.
- Brown, Kathy. flowerpower. New York: Anness Publishing Limited, 2000.
- Mead, Chris and Emelie Tolley. a potpourri of Pansies. New York: Clarkson Potter Publishers, 1993.
- Strowbridge, Cynthia and Francesca Tillona. A Feast of Flowers. New York: Funk & Wagnalls, 1969.
External links
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
| Shopping: Edible flowers |
 | safflower (botany) |
| hyacinth bean |
| star apple |
 | Is flowering sage edible? Read answer... |
| What are some edible flowers? Read answer... |
| What is the most common edible flower? Read answer... |
 | Amethyst Flower is it edible? |
| Where can you buy edible flower? |
| Who made edible flowers? |
Copyrights:
 |
 | Food Lover's Companion. Food Lover's Companion. Copyright © 2001 by Barron's Educational Series, Inc. All rights reserved. Read more |
 |
| Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Edible flowers". Read more |
- What flowers are not edible?
- Are flowers edible?
- Is the flower of a mustard plant edible?
- Is zucchini flower edible?
- Are snow flowers edible?
- What flowers are edible?
- Are edible flowers nutritious?
- Are passion fruit flowers edible?
- Are cantaloupe leaves and flowers edible?
Mentioned in
- safflower (botany)
- hyacinth bean
- star apple
- Can flowers be eaten? (kids)
- beach plum
- bitterroot
- cloudberry
- edible canna
- jackfruit
- Natal plum (South African evergreen shrub)
- saskatoon
- strawberry tomato
- water chinquapin
- marigold (culinary)
