Edible flowers can take your dishes to the next level, whether incorporated into recipes or used for garnish. They not only improve flavor but also the way your food looks. But how do you add them to your foods perfectly?
Read on to find out!
Edible Flowers Are Countless, But Here Are My Favorites
The following are some popular edible flowers I like to incorporate into my dishes:
Nasturtiums: For Salad, Baguette, and a Substitute for Caper
The exquisite nasturtium flowers have a peppery flavor much like that of radish bulbs. They pair well with a variety of salad dishes.
For the best taste, avoid adding a large amount—just use it as a garnish. You can also mix the flowers’ petals with butter when preparing your next baguette.
You can additionally collect the flower’s green seeds and pickle them for an alternative to spicy capers.
Violas: For Summer Drinks and Desserts
Violas have been used in desserts for ages and they’re still used extensively today in zillions of recipes.
Here’s how to get the best out of them:
- Add a bit of these flowers to a refreshing summer drink to make it more aromatic.
- Another option is to use them to garnish custard, ice cream, and cake.
- You can also use the plant’s heart-shaped petals to make irresistible candied violets.
Marigolds: For Pickled Veggies
Both African and French marigolds make mouthwatering additions to a variety of dishes. Still, I recommend incorporating them into dishes that feature pickled vegetables.
The Mexican species of marigolds is worth trying as well. They have an anise-like scent, which makes them a perfect alternative to tarragon.
Important: Make sure to remove the stems completely before using the plant’s blossoms.
Lavender: For Various Sweet and Savory Dishes
Lavender features a slightly bitter yet pleasant flavor, making it a versatile addition to complement a variety of sweet and savory dishes.
You can use fresh lavender to flavor lamb, salads, and some desserts (crème brûlée comes to mind).
When dried, the quickest way to use lavender is to mix it into a syrup mixture and add it to refreshing summer drinks such as iced tea and lemonade.
Besides this, you can incorporate it into multiple recipes for sauces, marinades, sorbet, and cookies.
Calendula: For Salad, Desserts, Juices and Teas
Calendula flowers come with a unique peppery taste and golden color that can make a world of difference in the taste and look of various dishes.
You can use the plant’s petals to season egg dishes and garnish some salads. Calendula petals make perfect additions to juices, teas, and even vinegar.
Important: Before using Calendula, I recommend you remove the center of the flower as it can ruin your dishes with its bitter taste.
Chive Blossoms: For Potato Dishes, Sandwiches and Vinegar
A handful of chopped chive blossoms can spice up a boring potato dish and make it very delectable.
Sprinkling these blossoms on top of a sandwich is another great culinary use for them.
In addition, making chive blossom vinegar is a delectable use of this flavorful and aromatic plant.
The produced vinegar can be used as a salad dressing and works perfectly as a substitute for white wine vinegar.
ِArugula Flowers: For Sandwiches and as a Snack
Arugula flowers taste like the ِarugula plant itself but slightly milder. Some people love to snack on them with no additions—give it a try.
However, if you want to incorporate them into a dish, sprinkling some flowers on the top of a sandwich is a great idea.
Other Popular Edible Flowers to Cook With
Besides the flowers mentioned above, here’s a quick look at a few other popular edible options to consider for your next meal:
- Hibiscus: You can consume it as a tea or add it to hot and barbecue sauces. It’ll provide a bit of a sharp, tart taste with a little sweetness and a nice floral flavor.
- Carnations: You can add it to salads or dry it and use it as a garnish.
- Lilac Flowers: You can use them to flavor ice cream and syrup or decorate cakes.
Hope you’ve enjoyed this post! If you made it to the end, let us know in the comments which of the listed edible flowers you’re most excited to use.
If you already use any of these edible flowers please let us know in the comments how you add them to your foods.
Growing up with a mom who filled her home (inside and out) with all sorts of plants, Lisa got her start in gardening at a young age. Living now on her own with a home and yard full of plants (including an indoor greenhouse), she shares all the gardening tips she’s gained over the years.