Flowers aren’t just pretty yard ornaments. They can also make dinner or dessert tastier and prettier. Here is an edible flowers list, information on growing edible flowers and notes on health benefits of edible flowers
Introduction
People can eat every part of many plants, including the flowers. They aren’t just for decoration, either. They are used in teas, juices, desserts, stir-fry dishes and more. In fact, some decorative flowers on dinner plates are tasteless or even inedible. Here is a common edible flowers list and how to prepare flowers in food. I have also included some health and safety information and advice.
Identifying edible flowers
Like all plant parts, some flowers are poisonous. Here is a good list but it does not include every poisonous plant in the world. Consult a book or horticulture expert before eating any flowers unless you are absolutely sure they are healthy and edible.
Also, take care eating flowers if you are prone to allergies. Start slowly before cooking up a whole jar of flower jam. There is a very long list of edible flowers, but here are a few of the most common, along with their basic flavor:
Chamomile - sweet
Daylily - sweet
Hibiscus - mild citrus
Marigold - bitter
Rose petals - strongly perfumed, sweet
Snapdragon - bitter
Violets - sweet
Visit the North Carolina State University horticulture site for a more complete list.
Growing flowers
Most home gardeners have some flowers and know many are easy to grow. However, many fertilizers and plant foods used on flowers specifically advise against use on vegetables because they should not be consumed. Be careful what you give your flowers if you want to eat them, and don’t eat flowers from the florist or nursery unless you know exactly where and how they were grown.
Harvest the flowers in the cool, early part of the day, and be sure to only eat the petals. The other parts can be poisonous or very bitter.
Health benefits of flowers
Flowers are known to improve mood and have other emotional benefits. Flowers are not widely used in most Western cuisine, so there is little reliable scientific research on the health benefits of eating flowers.
However, herbal practitioners swear by the health impacts of several flowers. Valerian has long been used to reduce anxiety and sleeplessness, as well as tension headaches and migraines. Rose water aids liver and intestinal function. Chamomile (either in tea or whole petals) reduce stress and boost immunity. Begonias are thought to help eliminate toxins and cleanse the liver. Chrysanthemums are thought to help cure colds and fevers. Here is a list with more floral remedies.
Including flowers in your diet
Many sweet flowers can be mixed into tea for flavor and color. Some popular tea flavors, such as chamomile, are almost entirely flowers. They can also be frozen in ice cubes or turned into jams. Flowers can also add a delicate flavor to stir-fry dishes and ground petals put a unique twist on pancake or waffle mix. Here are simple recipes for candied flowers and a pretty salad with edible flowers.
This post is part of the series: Edible Flowers and Weeds
Several beautiful and ugly plants from the yard can be eaten in salads, cooked or added to teas or jams.
