{"id":9646,"date":"2019-11-24T05:14:10","date_gmt":"2019-11-23T19:14:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gardens.theownerbuildernetwork.co\/?p=9646"},"modified":"2023-07-30T01:47:25","modified_gmt":"2023-07-29T15:47:25","slug":"5-delicious-edible-flowers-for-your-kitchen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theownerbuildernetwork.co\/gardens\/2019\/11\/24\/5-delicious-edible-flowers-for-your-kitchen\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Delicious Edible Flowers for Your Kitchen"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"People
People have foraged and cultivated flowers for food, drink, and medicine for centuries. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you grow flowers in your garden, why not choose a variety of edible flowers? You can use certain flowers for soups, salads, pasta, drinks, and desserts! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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People have foraged and cultivated flowers for food, drink, and medicine for centuries. You will find squash blossoms in Italian food, rose petals in Indian food, and chamomile or jasmine tea<\/a> on grocery shelves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some edible flowers are spicy. Others have the quality and flavor of herbs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using Edible Flowers in the Kitchen<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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You can use certain flowers for soups, salads, pasta, drinks, and desserts. (Photo: Ella Olson\/Flickr) <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When preparing most edible flowers for food or beverage, you should only use the petals for the best flavor. Remove the sepals, pistils, and stamens. The only exceptions to this rule are squash, violets, and nasturtiums. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below are five edible flowers you can use in your kitchen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nasturtium <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The nasturtium is easy to grow from seed, indoors or out. Every\nabove-ground part is of this flower edible. You can use nasturtiums to spice up\na plain salad or dish. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The leaves and flowers are brimming with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. This is why many indigenous people use nasturtiums as a treatment for a variety of disorders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You can use nasturtiums to spice up a plain salad or dish. (Photo: Cor Gaasbeek\/Pixabay)<\/em> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Roses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Roses<\/a> are edible. The darker-colored varieties yield the most flavor. You can strew rose petals on a fresh salad, brew them into tea, or use the entire blossoms to decorate a cake. Rose petals can also be made into jam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The darker-colored rose varieties yield the most flavor. (Photo: David Santra\/Pixabay)<\/em> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dandelions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Young dandelions are particularly delicious when they are just about to emerge from the ground. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can pick the young sprouts, wash them carefully, and steam them for a few minutes. You can serve the buds with salt and butter for a delicious hors d\u2019oeuvre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Young dandelions are particularly delicious when they are just about to emerge from the ground. <\/em>
(Photo: Greg Hume\/Wikimedia Commons)<\/em> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Hibiscus<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Have you tried making your own hibiscus syrup for cocktails? Experts say the flowers can lower blood pressure<\/a> and blood fat levels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The calyx of the Roselle variety makes a wonderful tea or\njelly because of the high pectin content. The flavor is tart and savory and the\ncolor is a vibrant cranberry red.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Experts
Experts say the flowers can lower blood pressure and blood fat levels. (Photo: Andrew Fogg\/Wikimedia Commons)<\/em> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sunflowers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Carefully separate sunflower petals and sprinkle them into\nsalads. For a truly delicious treat, you can harvest the unopened buds, remove\nthe sepals, and steam the buds until tender. They are meaty and filling and taste\nlike artichokes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"You
You can harvest the unopened buds of sunflowers, remove the sepals, and steam the buds until tender. (Photo: Mr. Gajowy3\/Pixabay)<\/em> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Not All Flowers are Edible!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The right flower can be a lovely addition to any dish, but\nbefore you go picking, you should remember that not all flowers are edible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Never eat a flower you can\u2019t identify with total certainty.\nDon\u2019t eat commercially grown flowers. They could have been sprayed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t pick wildflowers on treated lawns or along roadways.\nThere is always the possibility of chemical contamination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Always introduce a new edible flower or floral tea slowly\nand gradually. \u201cOn your first try, take a few deep sniffs, then only a bite or\ntwo,\u201d says Margaret Boyle for the Old Farmer\u2019s Almanac.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should also check with your healthcare professional before eating edible flowers if you\u2019re pregnant or taking prescription drugs. You should avoid eating flowers altogether if you have serious ragweed or other pollen allergies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check the chart here<\/a> to learn more about edible flowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s a quick video\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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