Flowers for decades have been seen as a timeless classic for decorations and expressing love. But did you know that you can have them served as a dish too?
Flowers are not just beautiful things with good fragrances to look at; some of them are edible. Many menus serve edible flowers and different styles of cuisines. Many are added to salads, beverages, and entrees as they provide a unique flavor and distinctness.
So, here are some edible flowers and the benefits they have!
Hibiscus
Hibiscus is a flowering plant with a genus in the Malvaceae family of Mallows. Hibiscus flowers are enormous and beautiful. They thrive in tropical and subtropical climates all over the world.
There are hundreds of hibiscus species, but Roselle, or Hibiscus Sabdariffa, is the most popular edible variant.
The plant has a reach of 6 inches (15 cm) diameter and comes in many colors, including red, white, yellow, and shades of pink. Although hibiscus is occasionally planted solely for decorative purposes, it is also well known for its culinary and medicinal uses.
Several studies endorse the benefits of hibiscus consumption. The petals of these radiant red flower petals are rich in antioxidants. They may aid in reducing cholesterol in the body. Consequently, it can help lower blood pressure. Although further research is needed to learn ways hibiscus can help with heart health.
They are also beneficial to folks who have liver problems. The hibiscus flower improves skin and hair health when consumed regularly. You may make hibiscus tea or consume the petals directly. There are several recipes out there with this flower fusion.
Dandelion
Dandelion is a taraxacum species belonging to the vast genus of flowering plants in the Asteraceae family. Dandelions get noted as being tough garden weeds. They are even double nutritious as edible plants.
Dandelions produce little blooms with many tiny, bright-yellow petals, measuring around 1–1.5 inches (2–4 cm) in diameter. They provide a variety of plant chemicals with high antioxidant effects that help in diabetes type 2.
There are numerous ways to eat dandelions. The blossoms can be eaten raw, either by themselves or as part of a salad. In reality, you may eat every bit of this so-called weed, including the roots, stems, and leaves, which can be breaded and fried or used to produce jelly and wine.
Lavender
Lavender (Lavandula) is a flowering plant genus of 47 species in the Lamiaceae family. Lavender is a woody, fragrant herb that originated in northern Africa and the Mediterranean region. The violet blooms are tiny, but there are a lot of them. Its unique scent makes it recognized as it provides calming effects.
The color and perfume make it an especially appealing complement to a range of dishes.
You are most likely familiar with this flower because of its supremacy in teas. It may be even more healthy to make a teapot with fresh petals or crush them into a paste and eat them. Both of these plants are digestive aids, stress relievers, and light sleep aids. Vitamin A is also abundant in lavender.
Honeysuckle
Honeysuckles (Caprifoliaceae) are towering shrubs or twining plants native to northern latitudes in North America and Eurasia.
Honeysuckle has around 200 species. However, Japanese and woodbine forms are the most popular. The nectar-filled flowers, often light yellow or white, can be eaten right from the flower.
Honeysuckle is most commonly used in the culinary world to make tea or a fragrant, tasty syrup. The syrup can sweeten iced tea, lemonade, yogurt, and sorbet. Furthermore, for generations, honeysuckle has been a significant part of traditional Chinese medicine.
Honeysuckle plays a role in curing numerous inflammatory disorders. The flowers and their extracts are consumed or applied to the skin. However, its efficacy as a human therapeutic therapy needs to get demonstrated scientifically.
While the honeysuckle flower and nectar are safe to consume, some types can be deadly if consumed in excessive amounts. So, make sure you know the species you are buying!
Rose
Roses are woody perennial flowering plants. They belong to the genus Rosa in the Rosaceae family.
Roses have 150 species all around the world. So, come in a variety of flavors. A solid rule of thumb for selecting a tasty rose is that if it smells nice, it will most likely taste well as well.
The flavor of rose petals is particularly aromatic, flowery, and slightly sweet. They can be eaten fresh or dried and used as cereals or mixed herbs salads. Only eat the petals; the leaves and stems are not particularly tasty.
Fresh rose petals can also be blended and added to the liquid to make rose-infused drinks, jams, and jellies. Rose milk is quite known for a reason! It is not only tasty, but it is also healthy.
People all across the world use rose petals and rose hips in many ways. It was utilized by the ancient Chinese to alleviate stomach and menstrual problems. They have low calories and high water content with vitamins A and E to nourish the body. Some chemicals in roses may help to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.
Chamomile
Chamomile, like dandelion, is a member of the Asteraceae family of plants. It is also known as camomile, a herb that is utilized in both traditional medicine and culinary.
The flowers are similar to daisies, although they are much smaller. They provide meals with a slightly sweet, earthy flavor when cooked with them.
Several recipes ask for boiling them in a beverage to extract the tastes and bioactive ingredients. The leaves and blooms are often dried before being used, although they can exist utilized fresh.
Chamomile is a medicinal plant that helps to relieve anxiety and sleeplessness among elders.
While the blossoms are most commonly used to make chamomile tea, you may use them to produce syrups or other infusions for baked products, smoothies, or desserts.
How to Use Edible Flowers?
One way to have the benefits of edible flowers is by making tea. You can steep them in hot water for an hour or leave them dipped in water under the sun for a day. Do not forget to add herbs, lemon, or honey to add flavors.
You can also use flowers as garnishes. Some even use them for dips and baked goodies.
You can purchase edible flowers at health food stores or farmer markets. You can also pick edible flowers yourself, but make sure they are safe to consume. Avoid areas that have pesticidal sprays or other chemicals.
You can also grow them yourself. These are some of the best flowers to have in your home garden.
Are There Any Risks or Side Effects?
Flowers are not safe to eat if they are grown with pesticides, herbicides, or other chemicals. Go for only the organic ones.
If you are eating a flower for the first time, start with small amounts to allow for your digestive system to adjust. Wash the flowers well if you are allergic to pollen. To clean edible flowers, add them to a bowl of cold water and then place them on a paper towel to air dry. You can keep flowers in the refrigerator for a week.
The Bottomline
Flowers are an essential part of our world. They have several roles in nature if you take a close look. They also offer benefits if you consume them. However, not all flowers are edible. So, make sure you refer to our assortment before picking any for the benefits of edible flowers. Here is our guide on their importance.
You also might want to check some fun facts about them!