When most people think of edible flowers, they think of the flowers made from sugar and fondant included as edible decorations on wedding cakes. However, there is a true culinary delight that incorporates eating raw and cooked flowers – the kind that you grow in your garden. Before you run out to your local florist and buy flowers to include in your next dinner, however, consider these tips for choosing edible flowers:
- Be careful. Never pick flowers for consumption if they've been exposed to pesticides, or those that grow by the roadside. Flowers from a florist should never be eaten. Since most florists use chemicals and pesticides to keep flowers fresher longer, they are considered poisonous.
- Remove. For the best flavor, remove the pistils and stamens from the flowers before eating. Also, most varieties of flowers taste best if you remove the sepals. Flowers that taste best with sepals intact are pansies, violas, and Johnny-jump-ups.
- Pick at peak. Choose flowers at their peak for best flavor, and always harvest in the early mornings, after the dew has evaporated.
- Stem size. If you are choosing flowers that are long-stemmed, make sure that you place them in a vase of cool water, storing them in a cool place, until you are ready to use them. Short-stemmed flowers should be used within just a few hours of harvesting, or store them loosely between layers of lightweight, damp paper towels.
- Refrigerator storage. While you can store flowers inside of a plastic bag in your refrigerator, make sure that you rinse them thoroughly before using and inspect for insects and dirt.
If you plan on harvesting flowers in order to dry them for use later, make sure that you choose varieties that will not lose their flavor during the drying process. Start very early in the morning, before the sun rises, and gather flowers before direct sunlight rests upon them. Take them immediately to a prepared, dark, well-ventilated area and hang them upside down by their stems. If you have chosen flowers with little or no stems, you may place them on a screen and allow them to dry. Once your flowers have dried, place them into airtight containers and label them. Store them in a cool, dark place until ready for use.
Author Bio
April Reinhardt
An administrator for a mutual fund management firm, April deals with the written word daily. She loves to write and plans to author a memoir in the near future. April attended Morehead State University to pursue a BA degree in Elementary Education. Learn more about April...
Caring for a Blister
Blisters are the skin's defense mechanism to protect its deeper layers from bacteria. While preventing a blister is ...
Discover More
Mail Order Steak
Are you looking for an inexpensive alternative to visiting the butcher? Well, instead of ordering meats from a local ...
Discover More
Pinot Noir Wine
If you are looking for a wine that is fruity and full-bodied, then your best choice is a Pinot Noir. Be prepared to pay a ...
Discover More
Kitchen Cleaning
Having a clean kitchen is important to your health and the overall feel of the room. Be sure to clean different areas of ...
Discover More
Cooking in a Small Kitchen
If you have a small kitchen, consider storing pots and pans, as well as dinner ware, in another room in order to give you ...
Discover More
Kitchen Cleaning Supplies
An often overlooked aspect of cooking is the one part that always comes last—the clean up. Cleaning your kitchen ...
Discover More
Comments