When cooking with edible flowers, stay away from pesticides. Homegrown, pesticide-free
flowers are both sustainable and delicious. They will definitely spruce up your culinary game. Nature’s finest ingredients provide a sprinkle of flavor and a splash of flavor that elevate any dish.
Here’s a quick guide to some edible flowers, their unique flavors and how to use them.
Pot Marigold
A great addition to soups and stews with a rich color and peppery taste, pot marigold petals can be dried and pickled, lasting you even longer than their planting season.
Sweet Violets
Sweet violets are the perfect addition to tea. Their delicate flavor pairs well with sweet or savory. Plus, candied violet petals look great on a cake.
Nasturtium
Add nasturtium flowers to your next salad or pasta dish for a strong, peppery flavor similar to the pot marigold.
Hibiscus
Soak up the hibiscus’ light, cranberry flavor that pairs well with tea. Fresh hibiscus petals can also be added to salads or be candied to boost a flavored jam.
Scented Geranium
Perfect for a summer cocktail, the scented geranium holds a mild, peppery flavor that can be frozen into ice cubes for a refreshing drink in the blazing sun.
Elderflower
This sweet flower is best for tarts and jellies. You can also garnish your next glass of wine or cocktail with elderflowers to feel extra fancy. And if you’re looking for something truly unique, deep fry elderflowers in pancake batter to add crunch and sweetness to your next brunch.
Primrose
Appealing to the eye, primroses are great crystallized or fresh. They can be used to decorate cakes and other chilled desserts.
Rose
Ditch the thorns and use roses for an aromatic fragrance in drinks, sugar and even cake frosting.
Chrysanthemum
Use chrysanthemum petals to color and flavor a cream soup or egg dish.
Borage
With a delicate fresh cucumber flavor, borage flowers can be added to fruit salads or frozen into ice cubes for your next summer drink.
Lavender
Lavender complements sugar, honey and vinegar that can be used in cakes, honeys and coffees. This flower also pairs well with rich and fatty foods because they elevate the overall flavor.
Hollyhock
Decorate cakes and other pastries with this gorgeous flower. Hollyhock petals can be crystallized, but make sure to remove all traces of pollen in the flower by rinsing them.
Use these tips and recommendations to beautify your next dish! Flowers are God’s natural gift to us as a display of His beauty and love. Let’s remember Him as we enjoy them!
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