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Gardening
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Edible Flowers Offer a Sweet Taste from the Garden
Flowers that beautify the landscape can also pretty up the plate or sweeten a spread
Houzz Contributor. I'm a California-based writer and editor. While most of my projects are garden-based, you might also find be writing about home projects and classical music. Away from the computer, I'm found in the garden (naturally), on my bike, or ice-skating outdoors (yes, that is possible in California). I'm also willing to taste-test anything that's chocolate.
Houzz Contributor. I'm a California-based writer and editor. While most... More »
Once you've planted your vegetable garden and made sure your fruit trees are doing well, it's time to turn to your flower garden to look for more edibles. Sure, you can use the flowers of many well-known herbs, like rosemary, and squash blossoms have long been a favorite summer treat, not to mention a great way of ridding yourself of extra zucchini before you're overrun. But a surprising number of familiar garden flowers, from roses to pansies to geraniums, can do double duty in your kitchen.
Warning: If you're allergic to a certain plant, be sure to avoid the flowers. Even if you know of no allergies, taste flowers first before you add them to a favorite dish, and use them sparingly. And if you're growing the flowers to eat, avoid using pesticides or chemicals on the plants.
Warning: If you're allergic to a certain plant, be sure to avoid the flowers. Even if you know of no allergies, taste flowers first before you add them to a favorite dish, and use them sparingly. And if you're growing the flowers to eat, avoid using pesticides or chemicals on the plants.
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| Nasturtiums are not only one of the easiest flowers to grow, they're versatile in the kitchen. All parts are edible, and they have a somewhat sharp and peppery taste that may be unexpected. They're a colorful addition to green salads. You can also chop up the leaves and petals and add them to butters or vinegars. Use them as a final decorative touch as well, whether pressed into a round of goat cheese or topping a chocolate cake. |
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| The flowers of all types of roses can be used in a number of ways. You can candy the petals; include them in salads or tea sandwiches; add them to jelly, jam, butter and honey; brew tea or use them to flavor sugar (remove the petals before using the sugar). Be sure to taste first, as the flavors vary greatly from rose to rose — a general rule of thumb is that the deeper the color, the stronger the taste. It's also a good idea to remove the white base of the flower, as it is generally bitter. |
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| Members of the viola family, from pansies and johnny-jump-ups to violets, are a sweet edible flower with a hint of wintergreen. Add individual petals to salads, tea sandwiches or cheese; top cupcakes with whole flowers. Candied violets have long held a place of honor in the dessert world, but plain violets can also be added to sugar to infuse it with a delicate flavor. |
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Pansies are also a natural edging for a vegetable garden. While many people will think you're simply combining flowers with your edibles, you'll know that everything can be used in the kitchen.
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| Though they're best known for their perfume, lavender flowers are also a well-known kitchen staple. Use them as a garnish or in salads; add them to syrup, vinegar or lemonade; or bake them into sugar cookies. Warning: Do not ingest lavender oil. |
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Citrus blossoms can be as edible as the fruit. Taste first, as the flavor varies and may be overly strong. Use them to garnish lemonade, ice cream or whipped cream; add them to salads or mix them with butter to flavor fish or fowl. You can also candy the blossoms for a sweet treat, although the edges may turn brown in the process.
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Scented geraniums (Pelargonium species, not the hardy true geraniums) have small but fragrant flowers that can be added to fruit salads, creams or sugar. You can also try candying the flowers. The rose-scented geraniums tend to be the most popular, but give the others a try.
Warning: The citronelle variety, despite its name, is not edible.
Warning: The citronelle variety, despite its name, is not edible.
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| Dianthus (also known as pinks) have a sweet, almost clovelike flavor. Use as a garnish, or add to salads or butters. These miniature carnations can be bitter, so taste them first. |
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| Tuberous begonias shine, whether planted in the garden or hanging in baskets, but you can also pull them into the kitchen. The flowers have a light yet crisp taste that works well in salads and sandwiches, and they're also great as a garnish. You can even eat them with a dip. Warning: Use only tuberous begonia hybrids. They also contain oxalic acid, so don't eat them if you have gout, kidney stones or rheumatism. More: Unexpected Edible Gardens |
Ideabook published on April 25, 2012.
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A WARNING about lavender: the Spanish lavender is said to be toxic, so avoid it in food preparations or at least research the safety of the variety that you're growing.
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