Introduction
Edible flowers are an easy-finishing touch that can alter a standard salad into a work of art.
Similarly, edible flowers are popular among chefs when creating visually stunning and unique dishes. The blooms add a pop of color to the plate and a subtle flavor to the dish.
Therefore, from classic opinions like pansies and roses to more adventurous choices like nasturtiums and marigolds, there is a wide variety of edible flowers that you can select from.
You can easily access online flower delivery in Austin from My Global Flowers to explore a different range of flowers. You can select the flower of your choice as they have a wide variety of
edible flowers available.
In this article, you will discover some of the top edible flowers you can grow in your garden and use for culinary purposes.
List Of Edible Flowers
Here is a list of flowers you can grow and incorporate into your menu.
1. Cherry Blossoms
Cherry blossoms or Sakura are flowers that range in hue from dark to light pink, white, and yellow.
Their beauty attracts viewers from all over the world to see their short blooming season in places like South Korea, Japan, different parts of Europe, and Washington, D.C.
However, these flowers are pickled in plum vinegar and salt and then dried for consumption.
Thus, cherry blossoms are best for sweet applications in ice cream, mochi, syrups, cookies, and cake decorations. In addition, you can preserve the flowers to have them throughout the year for
tea, with fish and rice, or in sakura vinegar.
What Does the Bloom Taste Like: Sweet, subtle floral, and slightly sour when heated.
Cherry Blossom Blooming Season: cake decoration, ice cream, and baked items.
Its Use: late March and mid-April.
2. Magnolias
Magnolias are edible flowers that bloom in pink, yellow, white, or purple hues. They can also take the shape of a star or a bowl.
Therefore, you can use magnolia petals while preparing a meal or garnishing a salmon.
Furthermore, you can use the flowers in your favorite salad bowl, infused in syrup, or as a pickle.
Moreover, the stunning beauty adds a perfect addition to a wedding cake, specifically if the flower is in the main bouquet.
Taste of Magnolia: ginger and sharp note of cardamon notes.
Magnolia flower used: Dessert, salad garnish, cake decoration, garnish, and infused in syrup.
Blooming Season: During late March and mid-May.
3. Lavender
Lavender flowers are one of the most popular edible flowers.
Therefore, these flowers are more frequently used in their dried forms. However, fresh lavender can be used for cooking, cocktail making, and baking.
Lavender can be used whole in scones and cookies and stepped into milk to make ice cream and pastry cream. You can also decorate chocolate truffles, cupcakes, and lemonade by mixing the syrup.
Taste: Earthy, woody, minty and exquisitely floral.
Use: Stepped in milk, infused with sweeteners, decorating desserts and syrups for cocktails.
Blooming Season: End of April To July.
4. Nasturtium
Nasturtium flowers are edible and have an orange and fiery hue, and they can sometimes be vibrant yellow or soft yellow.
Therefore, both the petals and leaves of the flower can be eaten. They are extremely easy to grow, making them a great addition to the menu.
Moreover, the flower can be used for cooking and medical purposes. The petals tend not to be in sweet recipes as the flavors lean savory.
Thus, try to use them by steeping them in vinegar, infusing them in spring rolls, and garnishing them on pizza, salads, and pasta, just like grilled vegetable panzanella salad.
Taste Like: Peppery, spicy, and zesty, like mustard or radishes.
Uses: spring roll and garnishing salads.
Blooming Season: May To September.
5. Pansies
Pansy flowers, also known as Johnny Jump-Ups and pansies, are a type of edible flower that can range from light to dark purple, yellow, orange, and pink. The flowers are available in different
shapes and sizes.
However, pansies are great for garnishing desserts made with chocolate, salads, cocktails, and vegetable dishes to add an even more vibrant pop of color.
On the other hand, the flowers are greater violet flowers, so what you do with pansies can also be facilitated for violets. They are popular confectionaries along with infused syrups.
Therefore, you can dry these flowers and sprinkle them over a dish. A new technique for using the petals is incorporating them in cookies and rolling them in spring rolls.
Pansy flower use: Garnish savory dishes and press them onto cookies.
Taste: Mild, sweet, and slightly floral.
Blooming Season: April To November.
6. Lilacs
Lilica is considered to be one of the most highly-rated edible flowers. It is available in blue, white, purple, and pink.
Therefore, the flowers are easy to grow and are fine in your garden.
However, the flower can be cut up and tossed in caramelized sugar, making it a great addition to honey. Lilacs are also amazing in different summertime beverages.
You can also freeze the petals in ice cubes for a pop of color and then serve them with a glass of water or lemonade.
Taste: Subtle sweet and citrusy notes.
Use: Infuse it as sweeteners, or you can also use it to garnish desserts.
Blooming Season: Within the month of April to June.
7. Carnation Flowers
Carnations are edible flowers that are both sweet and savory. They can be yellow, purple, red, orange, or pink.
Therefore, the flower makes a beautiful addition to salads and rice dishes, and you can also use it to sauté meat or vegetables.
Their interesting taste enhances the taste of a syrups syrup, and you can easily use them for ice cream and cocktails. If not, you can also crystalize carnations to elevate the garnish of elegant
desserts.
Taste: Spicy, bitter, and peppery. Mini versions are even available, and they are known to have flavors similar to nutmeg and clove.
Use: Can be garnished for desserts, extract syrups, and cook with savory foods.
Blooming Season: Within the months of May to September.
8. Fuchsias
These stunning and intricate flowers can alter any dish into something magnificent.
Therefore, the flowers range in different colors, such as deep purple, crisp whites, and stunning reds.
Furthermore, because of their vibrant colors and elegant shape, the flowers are best as a garnish for cakes and cocktails. You can infuse them on a burrata salad and add some prosciutto and fig to
complement both savory and sweet flavors.
Besides, the flowers have a berry taste, and you can use them in your spread or jam.
Taste: Peppery, bitter when it is infused with pomegranates and lemon and grape notes.
Use: It is made into jam, baked into desserts, and garnished with savory and sweet cookies.
Blooming Season: From mid-March to May.
9. Hibiscus
The hibiscus flowers are edible and reminiscent of a tropical color and climate. Therefore, the flowers range from shades of pink, red, orange, and blue and can be either ombre or solid in color.
Thus, it is very important because of its dry form and is used in non-caffeinated teas, which are mixed and granted into sugar to make a hibiscus syrup that is great for cocktails and salad dressing.
Moreover, fresh flowers make a magnificent garnish for fresh tropical cakes, which can be topped with passion fruits, coconut, mangoes, and pineapple.
Use: steeping in teas, garnishing cocktails and salads.
Taste: Berry-like flavor with cranberry and pomegranate notes.
Blooming Season: Late July to mid-September.
10. Allium Flowers
The flowers are a different edible herb from the onion family, typically from garlic, scallion, leek, and chives.
Therefore, they have beautiful, bulbous flowers that range in different colors, such as yellow, white, and blue.
Use allium flowers for any garnishing or dressing up savory dishes. It can automatically beautify the salad, pasta, pizza, flatbread, and fries, like in a steak flatbread recipe.
Use: Garnishing for different savory food.
Taste: Mild and crisp with subtle garlic and onion notes.
Blooming Month: Within the month of May to June.
11. Roses
The flower petals are very common for edible purposes and range in different vibrant and soft colors. They are easily available in ivory, pink, blue, white, yellow, orange, and purple.
Therefore, the flowers have been used for centuries for edible purposes and beauty treatments.
Besides, the flower petals can be infused in syrup or honey when preparing a cocktail, such as a strawberry rose sangria. It is often candied to garnish the top of chocolate truffles, cakes, and other
desserts.
On the other hand, you can also find rose petals steeped in lattes, mix them in tea, and prepare a rose petal jam for paczki filling.
Similarly, this flower is a must in your garden if you are fond of traditional Persian dishes like Persian love cake.
Taste: Extremely floral, with notes of green apple and strawberries.
Use: Infuse them as sweeteners, candied for a garnish, and can be steeped in hot water or milk.
Blooming Season: Early May to Late August.
12. Dahlias
The marigold is an edible flower that grows in the shape of a bulb. Therefore, the petals often also look like tight tubes, and their colors can range from the very highlights of the rainbows.
Furthermore, the flowers and their petals are best used as garnishes, and you can decorate them to boost savory dishes.
Use: You can decorate cupcakes and cakes and garnish savory dishes.
Taste: Water chestnut, beetroot, celery, spicy apple and carrot.
Blooming Season: Within the month of July to September.
Tips To Grow Edible Flowers In Your Garden
Here are some tips to grow edible flowers in your garden.
1. Decide The Flowers To Plants
It is very important for you to decide which type of flower best suits the soil type. Considering this factor, shortlist a few flower types that you are willing to plant in your garden space.
However, if you are foraging for blooms, ensure that you can properly identify the flower before selecting to cook with it.
Moreover, if you want to know more about edible flowers, look for the above-mentioned guide, which includes a list of flowers that will help you select.
2. Take Notes
After you have decided on the flowers you are willing to grow, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with their flavor profile. This will help you plant your favorite blooms.
On the other hand, you need to notice if the flowers have similar but tiny differences in their petal composition and leaf shape.
3. Clean The Flowers
To clean the flowers, you need to dunk them at room temperature. This will help remove small dirt and insects that might be hiding in the petals.
To prepare daintier blooms, gently wipe them with a damp cloth and store them in the fridge.
It is best to harvest flowers right before they are used because of their fragile structure.
Moreover, it is best to harvest flowers right before use because of their fragile structure.
Technique To Store And Clean Edible Flowers
After you acquire fresh edible flowers, you need to properly clean and store them before using them in recipes. The below-mentioned process of cleaning and storing edible flowers is followed.
- Select the flowers at the stem closest to the bud and gently shake them to remove excess dirt and pests.
- Very carefully wash the petals on either side, slowly running the cold waters or in a water bowl.
- Keep a tray with paper towels and gently place the flowers onto the towel to air dry them.
- Use the flowers immediately. However, if you want to use them later, put them in an airtight container and wrap them in a damp paper towel.
Grow Your Own Edible Flowers
If you have a garden, it is time for you to grow your edible flowers.
Thus, growing edible flowers at home is a cost-effective and colorful way to ensure you always have an impressive garnish to top off a delicious dish.
Once you know how to harness the power of petals, you can experience a whole new world of culinary possibilities.
So, get started without any further delay and enjoy the experience of growing your edible flower.
