New To Edible Flowers? Here’s a Basic Guide

Photo by Alexa Soh on Unsplash

Eating flowers might be trending now, but it’s not a new thing. In fact, the ancient Romans used rose flowers, fennel, violets, and lavender in their dishes. Asian cuisine has also incorporated citrus flowers in its dishes since ancient times. So if you’re looking to understand more about this old but also modern custom, here’s what you should know.

Double-Check

First of all, you need to make sure that the flowers you have picked are really edible. Ask as many people as you can and if in doubt, it’s always good to consult an expert. If you find that you’ve got an unedible batch, discard the flowers or keep them in a vase.

Know What You’re Looking For

Try to understand what flavor you’re looking for in the dish before choosing a suitable flower. Citrus flowers are very fragrant and aromatic and have a particularly sweet taste. Since their texture is slightly hard, they are less pleasant to eat and are mainly suitable for decoration. In addition, you can make oil from lemon flowers or syrup from orange flowers.

Various Options

In almost all cultures, roses symbolize beauty and passion. Roses are rich in vitamin C and serve as a dominant ingredient in many teas. The petals of the rose have a special fragrance, so they are suitable for dessert, garnish, sauces, ice cream, and for making jams and drinks.