Edible Flowers: A Guide to Beauty That You Can Taste

Flowers have added beauty to countless numbers of gardens throughout history. We can bring this beauty in as cut flowers and bouquets even as potted plants. You can also use them to add beauty to your dinner table. Not just in a vase, but on your plate. Here are a few examples.

First of all herbs such as basil, oregano, thyme, and chives are flowering plants. Most of the time, they are used before they bloom. However, the flowers are a great way to add flavor and beauty. Try adding some basil flowers to a Cobb salad for some extra flavor, or use chive blossoms to garnish a baked potato. Oregano and thyme flowers add a colorful and flavorful garnish to pasta dishes.

Herbs are not the only plants that make edible flowers. Nasturtiums blooms come in a wide variety of colors and have many uses. They add a spicy sweet kick to salads and make a great edible garnish for cheese trays or finger sandwiches. They can also be stuffed as their own savory appetizer. Some other common savory flowers that can be used as an edible way to dress up your table include radish flowers, yucca petals, day lilies, queen Ann's lace, and even dandelions.

Although there are many savory flowers, many sweet blooms can be found too. Violets are quite common and can be used to add a unique flavor to desserts. Clover flowers also have a sweet flavor. Some unique additions to dress up a fruit salad could include bachelor's buttons, honeysuckle, mint flowers, pansies and rose petals.

Another great way to enjoy a floral treat is in tea. Many flowers make great teas like chamomile, bergamont (bee's balm), lavender, and jasmine. Just steep a handful of blossoms or add them to your favorite teas. As a garnish, float a few flowers on the top and set one on the spoon. Each has their own unique flavor to add too.

I do have a few words of caution. First, make sure you know where your flowers have been. Make sure no pesticides or other toxic chemicals have been used on them. That's easy enough if you grow them yourself, but if you buy them, do your homework. Another thing to watch for is allergic reaction. For the larger flowers, taking off the stamens and anthers can help, but use caution for any flowers.