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Although fruits and vegetables are staples of our daily diet, we often overlook flowers. Flowers have been a part of our diet since time immemorial because of their innumerable benefits. And not to mention, edible flowers are packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Also, they add rich flavor, color, and texture that improve the overall appeal and taste of our food.
Read More: 5 Unusual Fruits Perfect For Growing In Organic Gardens
However, not all flowers are edible, and some are poisonous. So, before eating, be sure, and I repeat, be sure to buy edible flowers from reputable suppliers or grow them yourself, making sure they are free of harmful pesticides or chemicals. So, to make things easier for you, we give you a list of edible flowers (with benefits) that you can grow for yourself.
Nasturtiums
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| Photo: Anthonys Images, Unsplash |
Nasturtiums, known scientifically as Tropaeolum majus, come in a variety of bright colors, including shades of red, orange, yellow, and cream. These vibrant, easy-to-grow flowers are annual plants, meaning they complete their life cycle in one growing season, but they often reseed themselves, coming back year after year in many gardens.
Every part of the nasturtium plant is edible—flowers, leaves, seed pods, and even the seeds themselves. The flowers have a peppery, slightly sweet flavor, similar to watercress, and can be used in salads and garnishes. The large flowers can be stuffed with soft cheeses for a delightful appetizer. Also, you can infuse the flowers in vinegar or oil to create flavored condiments. Ground nasturtium seeds make a great pepper substitute.
Health Benefits: Nasturtiums are not just pretty and tasty; they’re rich in vitamin C and have natural antibiotic properties. Which can help boost your immune system and fight off infections. Nasturtium leaves have been used traditionally in herbal medicine to treat colds and respiratory infections.
Chamomile
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| Photo: Eugene, Unsplash |
Chamomile is a member of the Asteraceae family and comes in two main varieties: German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) and Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile). Both have calming effects and a sweet, apple-like fragrance. Chamomile is a hardy plant that’s relatively easy to grow. It thrives in well-drained soil and requires plenty of sunlight.
Chamomile flowers and leaves are both edible. The flavor is subtly sweet, with hints of apple and floral notes, making it an excellent addition to both sweet and savory dishes. The most common use of chamomile is in tea. Chamomile is often used to make flavored syrups. You can also infuse chamomile in lemonade, drinks, or desserts. You can add dried chamomile to cake batters, cookie doughs, or bread for a subtle floral flavor. Chamomile can also be used in savory dishes. Its mild flavor pairs well with chicken, fish, and vegetable dishes. It also goes well with custards, ice creams, or panna cotta.
Health Benefits: Chamomile is best known for its ability to promote relaxation and ease stress. It's often used to treat insomnia and anxiety. Chamomile tea can help soothe an upset stomach and promote healthy digestion. Chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation in the body, making it useful for treating conditions like arthritis. It can also help treat conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and minor skin irritations.
Pansy and Viola
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| Photo: Chris Linnett, Unsplash |
Pansies and violas belong to the same family, but they have subtle differences. Pansies typically have larger, more rounded petals and come in a variety of colors with a distinctive "face" pattern. Violas are smaller, more delicate, and often have a sweet fragrance. These flowers thrive in cooler weather, making them perfect for spring and fall gardens.
Pansies and viola have a mild, slightly sweet flavor with a hint of wintergreen. Add whole flowers, or petals, to salads for a splash of color and a subtle taste. They make beautiful decorations for cakes, cupcakes, and cookies. You can also candy them by brushing them with egg white and sprinkling them with sugar. Freeze them in ice cubes for a stunning addition to summer drinks, or use them as a garnish in cocktails.
Health Benefits: Pansies and violas are rich in vitamins A and C. Their vibrant colors indicate the presence of antioxidants, which help fight free radicals in the body.
Magnolia
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| Photo: Marina Yalanska, Unsplash |
Magnolias are one of the oldest flowering plant families, with fossils dating back over 95 million years. Native to Asia and the Americas, these trees and shrubs are now grown worldwide for their beautiful and fragrant flowers. Magnolias can range in color from white and pink to purple and even yellow. Magnolias can be evergreen or deciduous and come in a variety of sizes, from small shrubs to towering trees.
The petals of some magnolia species, such as Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) and Mokryeon (Magnolia kobus), are edible. They have a mild, gingery flavor that can add a unique twist to your dishes. Add fresh magnolia petals to salads for a burst of color and a subtle, spicy flavor. Pickled magnolia petals are a delicacy in some cultures, offering a tangy, crunchy addition to meals.
Health Benefits: Magnolia bark contains compounds like magnolol and honokiol, which are believed to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-anxiety properties. While magnolia petals are safe to eat, it’s crucial to correctly identify the species before consumption.
Read More: 35 Gardening Terms Everyone Should Know
Calendula
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| Photo: Marina Yalanska, Unsplash |
Calendula belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is native to southwestern Asia, western Europe, and the Mediterranean. With its bright yellow and orange flowers, calendula has been cherished for centuries for its healing properties and culinary uses. In ancient Egypt, it was used for its rejuvenating properties, while in India, it was considered a sacred flower. European herbalists have long recognized its ability to heal wounds and soothe skin irritations. Calendula is a hardy annual that is easy to grow from seeds.
Calendula flowers are entirely edible. The petals have a mildly tangy, peppery, and slightly bitter flavor. Add a handful of fresh calendula petals to salads for a splash of color and a hint of spiciness. Use the vibrant petals as a garnish for soups, stews, and rice dishes to enhance their visual appeal. Or you can mix calendula petals into making herb butter or cheeses for a unique flavor twist. Dried calendula petals can be steeped in making anti-inflammatory herbal tea.
Health Benefits: Calendula can reduce inflammation, making it useful for treating minor cuts, burns, and skin irritations. Its antimicrobial properties help prevent infections in wounds. Calendula tea can aid digestion and ease gastrointestinal issues. Calendula-infused oils and creams are used to treat eczema, dermatitis, and other skin conditions. People with allergies to plants in the Asteraceae family, such as daisies and chrysanthemums, should avoid calendula.
Lavender
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| Photo: Annie Spratt, Unsplash |
Lavender (Lavandula) is known for its aromatic fragrance. This perennial plant belongs to the mint family. It’s best to plant them in the spring, when the soil has warmed up. Lavender requires minimal watering. Over-watering can lead to root rot, so it’s crucial to let the soil dry out between watering.
Not all lavender varieties are suitable for culinary usage. English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the best choice for cooking because of its sweet flavor and lower camphor content compared to other types. Lavender has a sweet, floral taste with hints of mint and rosemary. Use lavender to add a unique flavor to baked goods such as cookies, cakes, and scones. Lavender pairs beautifully with sweet flavors. Infusing lavender in creams, custards, and syrups can add an elegant touch to ice creams, panna cotta, and lemonades. Lavender can enhance savory dishes as well. It works well with roasted meats, especially lamb and chicken, and can be added to marinades or spice rubs. Lavender is a fantastic addition to drinks. It can be steeped in hot water to make a soothing tea, infused into syrups for cocktails, or added to lemonade for a refreshing twist.
Health Benefits: Lavender is known for its calming properties, and it is often used in aromatherapy to reduce stress and promote relaxation. Lavender oil can be applied to the skin to help heal minor burns, insect bites, and acne. Additionally, consuming lavender in small amounts can help in digestion and relieve headaches.
Read More: How to Create an Edible Garden
Roses
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| Photo: Veronika Diegel, Unsplash |
Not all roses are edible. You can make jams and jellies with rugosa roses, also known as beach roses. Varieties like Damask roses and Gallica roses (French roses) are highly aromatic and excellent as a flavoring ingredient or spice.
Rose petals have a delicate flavor that can range from sweet to slightly bitter, depending on the variety and color. Darker petals often have a more intense flavor. Pick roses in the morning when they are most fragrant. Add a handful of fresh petals to a green salad for a pop of color and a mild, sweet flavor. You can use rose petals to garnish cakes, pastries, and cocktails. Dried rose petals make a lovely herbal tea. You can add dried petals to cookies, cakes, and bread for a floral twist. Use rose water or rose oil to flavor desserts like Turkish delight, and rice pudding. Add a splash of rose water to lemonade or cocktails for an exotic aroma.
Health Benefits: Roses are rich in vitamin C, which boosts the immune system. Roses contain antioxidants that help combat inflammation and oxidative stress. The scent of roses has calming effects, making rose tea a great choice for relaxation.
Squash Blossoms
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| Photo: Kasia Gajek, Unsplash |
Squash blossoms are large, trumpet-shaped yellow or orange flowers that come from squash plants, including zucchini, pumpkins, and other summer and winter squashes. These blossoms open in the morning and usually close in the afternoon, making early morning the best time to harvest them. People usually harvest male blossoms for cooking. The taste of squash blossoms is mildly sweet and slightly vegetal, similar to that of young zucchini.
One of the most popular ways to enjoy squash blossoms is by stuffing them with ricotta cheese, herbs, or spices of your choice. Just dip the stuffed blossoms in a light batter and fry them until golden brown for a crispy texture. In Mexican cuisine, squash blossoms are stuffed with cheese and other vegetables in quesadillas and tacos.
Health Benefits: Squash flowers are low in calories and contain essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A and C, calcium, and iron. Adding squash blossoms to your diet increases the nutritional value of the food.
Borage
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| Photo: Kieran Murphy, Unsplash |
Borage (Borago officinalis), also known as starflower, features striking star-shaped blue flowers and hairy leaves. Borage is an annual herb native to the Mediterranean region. Borage will grow in most gardens as long as the soil is well-drained.
Borage flowers taste mildly like cucumber and are best picked just before they fully open for the best flavor and color. You can freeze borage flowers into ice cubes to decorate drinks or use them fresh to garnish cocktails and punches. They are a traditional addition to the classic cocktail Pimm's Cup. You can chop borage leaves and add them to soups and stews, and in some European cuisines, they are used as stuffing for ravioli and other pasta dishes.
Peony
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| Photo: Meg MacDonald, Unsplash |
Peonies are available in white, pink, red, and even yellow. These beautiful flowers are native to Asia, Europe, and Western North America. Peonies symbolize prosperity and honor in Chinese culture.
During the Middle Ages, people used peony petals to flavor drinks. Peony roots and seeds are also edible, and their flowers are used in making jellies and cocktails for their lovely pink hue and unique flavor. Peony-infused ice creams and cocktails are perfect for enjoying summer.
Health Benefits: Peonies have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over a thousand years and are believed to help with inflammation and period cramps. These beautiful flowers are beneficial to treat gout, osteoarthritis, fever, respiratory tract illnesses, and cough. Just a reminder: peonies contain compounds called paeonol and paeoniflorin, which can be toxic if ingested in large amounts.
Read More: 7 Must-Have Shade-Loving Flowers for Your Garden
Beautiful flowers are not only bliss to the eyes; their nutritional value and unique taste make them exceptional additions to daily cuisine. Just keep in mind that it would not be wise to take a large amount at once; start with a small portion and enjoy the vibrant flavor of edible flowers.
