Edible flowers – both beautiful and delicious
A cake decorated with beautiful lilac flowers, elderflower-flavored ice cream, or an Indian curry with cress? Many plants and flowers work just as well in food as they do in the flower bed – so why not give it a try? Edible flowers are both beautiful and delicious.
Many easy-to-grow flowers can be eaten – such as marigolds, borage, lilacs, pansies, and daisies, but there are also more unusual varieties that can be used in food. Flowers have been a part of dishes for thousands of years in various parts of the world. Chinese chefs experimented with edible flowers as early as three thousand years ago, and the Romans are said to have used both violets and roses in their food.
Not all flowers are edible
Just like with mushrooms, it’s important to do your research if you want to use flowers in food, desserts, and drinks. Some varieties are truly toxic, even deadly, so only use flowers you are completely sure about. Just because a flower smells good or looks appetizing doesn’t mean it’s edible.
Also, avoid flowers that have been sprayed with pesticides and those that have grown near roads – they might be contaminated with exhaust or dog urine. To be on the safe side, it's also a good idea to wait until the next season before eating perennials you've bought from a store. The safest option is to grow the flowers yourself – that way, you know exactly what’s on your plate. Or, for the easiest option, choose from our ready-grown edible flowers in the "Eat Fine" range.
"Eat well" – edible plants from Plantasjen
In several of our stores, you can now find organically grown edible flowers – perfect for those who want to decorate their food with flowers.
When and how should the flowers be picked?
Flowers generally taste best when they are fresh and newly picked. It's best to pick them in the morning. Only use beautiful specimens, and avoid flowers that are discolored or about to wilt – and don't forget to shake them properly so any insects fall out.
Many flowers also benefit from being picked. They strive to produce seeds, and when you eat the flowers, they set new ones, which results in a longer and richer blooming period.
What parts of the flower are edible?
The most common way to eat flowers is to eat the petals, but some flowers can be eaten whole, with leaves, stem and root. Sometimes the base to which the petals are attached can taste a little bitter and can be easily removed. Most edible flowers taste best raw, but many can also be cooked.
The taste of flowers varies greatly and depends on the species. Flowers can taste peppery, sour, floral or almost nothing. One piece of advice is to take a small taste test before adding it to food.
15 edible flowers
Flowers can be used in food, drinks, desserts, pastries and as decoration. With edible varieties in the garden, there is always something beautiful and tasty to use. Below is a list of some edible flowers that are common in our gardens.
- Daylily
The buds, flowers, and roots can be eaten, but be sure not to confuse it with other lilies that can be toxic. The flowers can be fried, even with garlic, and pair well with Asian dishes. Just be sure to shake the flowers so no insects are left on them. - Elderflower
Juice, but also used for jelly and jam. The flavor is especially good when combined with lemon. Another tip is to dip the flower clusters in pancake batter, fry them, and then dip them in sugar – a perfect topping for vanilla ice cream. - Chive flowers
The small, sweet purple flowers of chives are milder and sweeter than the actual chives. They are best when fresh and new. They work well in sandwiches and as a garnish for several soups, such as nettle soup. - Borage
The blue flowers, as the name suggests, have a slight cucumber flavor. They are great in summer drinks, desserts, salads, or as decoration for any dish. They are also nice to freeze in ice cubes. - Cress
This flower brings both flavor and color! The flowers range from light yellow to bright red and have a strong peppery taste. Both the flowers and leaves are great in a salad with a kick or in herb butter. The flowers also work well as a decoration on plates, sandwiches, or canapés. - Lavender
Lavender can be used to flavor sugar, but can also be used in cakes and pastries. It can even be used in sauces, such as lavender sauce. Since the flavor is not only floral but also light and juicy, it’s best used in moderation. You can also make lavender oil to use as massage oil or use a lavender sprig as a stirrer in a summer drink. - Snapdragon
The taste is slightly bitter, but the flower comes in many colors. It works well as decoration and blooms well into the fall. - Pansy
The small flowers can look very different and come in many colors. A big advantage with pansies is that the more you pick, the more they grow. They don’t have much flavor, but are beautiful as decoration and work especially well in a summer salad with lemon. - Marigold
Marigolds are one of the easiest edible flowers to grow, with their golden hues from yellow to dark orange, while also being very decorative. Both the flower and the leaves can be eaten, and the flavor is mild, so it works in many dishes. Marigold is perfect as a spice in an Indian curry. You can also sprinkle the petals in a salad or make a colorful herb butter. Marigold also works well in its own tea blend, and if mashed, it can give a nice orange color to rice. - Rose
Both rose hips and garden roses are edible. They are especially good in desserts and baked goods. The petals can be candied for cakes and desserts, and red petals can be coated with sugar to make pink sugar. Rose petals can also be mixed with butter and served with a nice bread. Rose also works well in its own tea blend. - Violet
Violets are related to pansies and work excellently in candy. They have a slightly soapy taste, but in small amounts, they give a delicate flavor to baked goods and desserts. - Sunflower
Has a floral taste that works well in both drinks and baked goods. By candied the flowers, you can make them sparkle a little extra. You can do this by brushing them with egg white or water and then dipping them in sugar. They become incredibly beautiful and are perfect for cakes and desserts. - Tagetes
If you want to eat this flower, it's important to choose the right variety. Not all types of marigolds are edible. The variety you should look for is called "spice marigold" and has a mild lemon flavor. You can use them in salads, herb butter, or as decoration on dishes. The petals can also be dried to be used as decoration later. - Daisy
The flower can be used as decoration for many things, such as in soups and salads. It tastes good, especially raw. - Squash blossom
Has a light and healthy flavor, and both male and female flowers are edible. They can be fried or baked in the oven filled with good cheese or other fillings. Remove the stamens and pistils and pick them when they have just bloomed in the morning.
Swedish garden inspirer, journalist and author of books about nature, cultivation and animals, such as "Soil", "Grow for insects" and "Chickens as a hobby".
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