Edible Flowers List For Use in Cooking

Flowers are not only edible as creamy roses on a cake. You can add the petals of ordinary roses to tea and other drinks. Or for example, poppy seeds are a must for many pastries. Housewives cannot imagine canning without cloves. Saffron is one of the most famous Indian spices. Broccoli, which we primarily think of as cabbage, is also a flower. Since the earliest times, humanity has been consuming fresh or dried edible flowers as food. It makes sense because that's what we do with fruit. So why should there be exceptions for flowers?

Some recipes have become customary and passed into traditional cuisine. But we have lost others, including for lack of use. Some of them have passed into the category of medicines. People have used certain plants and flowers since ancient times for curing.

In this article, we will describe what flowers are edible in more detail. 

#1. Rose

Roses are beautiful and fragrant flowers which are edible. They will “open” the edible flowers list.  When using roses in cooking, it's important to not use anything except petals. Rose petals have a delicate and sweet flavor with subtle fruit and spice notes. They are often used to infuse flavor into desserts, sweets, and beverages. Rose petals can be useful in making rosewater. It is a common ingredient in Middle Eastern and Indian cuisine. As well as Turkish delight is a popular sweet treat. Also, roses are used in cooking for their beautiful color and appearance. Rose petals can add a touch of elegance to cakes, and cupcakes.

When using roses in cooking, it's important to ensure they are pesticide-free. If you have access to organic roses, that is the best option for cooking. Also, remove the white base of the petals, as it can be bitter and unpleasant to eat.

The Best Recipes with Rose 

This flower has the widest variety of uses in cooking. These are just a few examples of how you can incorporate these edible flowers into your cooking:

• Rose Petal Jam. This sweet and fragrant jam is a popular treat in the Middle East and is often served with toast or bread. You'll need fresh rose petals, sugar, water, and lemon juice to make it.
• Rose Petal Salad. You can make this fresh and vibrant salad with mixed greens and edible flowers. Fresh berries and a homemade rose vinaigrette are also suitable for this recipe.
• Rose Petal Ice Cream. This creamy and indulgent ice cream tastes perfectly with this top flower and a touch of cardamom. It's a popular dessert in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine.

#2. Lavender

For most people, lavender refers only to purple fields. But when you ask what flowers are edible, you may surely answer - “lavender.” It is a popular cooking herb that is often used to add a unique and aromatic flavor. When using lavender in cooking, it's important to use only the buds or flowers, as the stems can be woody and tough.

Lavender has a sweet, floral flavor with a hint of mint and citrus. It's often used in pastries, such as cakes, scones, and shortbread cookies. You may also use lavender to flavor honey, syrups, and teas. Additionally, lavender is often used to add a unique twist to savory dishes. For example, add them to roasted meats or vegetables.

When using lavender from edible flowers list in cooking, it's important to use it sparingly, as it can be overpowering if you use it too much.

The Most Delicious Ways to Use Lavender in Cooking

Here are a few examples of recipes that use lavender:

• Lavender Honey. This sweet and fragrant honey is perfect for drizzling over yogurt, toast, or fresh fruit. Simply heat honey and dried lavender buds in a saucepan, then strain and let cool. Use these  flowers, which are edible
• Lavender Shortbread Cookies. These tender, buttery cookies are perfect for serving with tea or coffee. All you have to do is add the lavender tincture to the prepared dough.
• Lavender Ice Cream. Lavender is a beautiful flower with the basis for delicious cool ice cream. The taste of such a dessert is very fresh and light, a dish perfectly saves from the unbearable summer heat. And most importantly, such ice cream is very easy to make at home.

#3. Sunflower

Sunflowers are not only beautiful flowers, but you can also use them in cooking in a variety of ways. So we added them to a list of what flowers you can eat. 

Sunflower seeds, in particular, are a popular ingredient in many dishes. Sunflower seeds have a nutty and sweet flavor and are often good in baking and savory dishes. You can use them to make sunflower seed butter, a popular alternative to peanut butter. Sunflower seeds can also add texture and flavor to salads, stir-fries, and grain bowls. 

In addition to the seeds, sunflower petals are also good for cooking. These edible flowers are slightly bitter and are often used as a garnish for salads and other dishes. Many cooks can also use them to infuse flavor into oils and kinds of vinegar. Sunflower petals can also be useful for making a natural food dye, as they impart a vibrant yellow color to dishes. It makes them a great alternative to artificial food dyes. As they often may contain harmful chemicals that can hurt your health.

The Best Variants to Use Sunflowers

Look below for tasty options with sunflowers:

• Sunflower Seed Bread. Bakers make this hearty and nutritious bread with whole wheat flour and sunflower seeds. It's perfect for toasting and serving with butter or jam.
• Sunflower Seed Pesto. You may cook this flavorful pesto with:

• fresh basil;
• garlic;
• lemon juice, and sunflower seeds. 

It's perfect for tossing with pasta or spreading on sandwiches. For its functionality, it takes an important place in the list of edible flowers.

• Sunflower Seed Butter Cups. Sunflower seed butter, dark chocolate, and a touch of sea salt are all you need for sweet and indulgent treats. They're a healthier alternative to traditional peanut butter cups.

#4. Calendula

Calendula is a beautiful flower. People use it for its medicinal and culinary properties. The petals of the calendula flower have a slightly tangy and spicy flavor. It has hints of saffron and pepper. You can use them in various dishes to add color and flavor. So it is a good end of the edible flowers list. 

You may use calendula petals to make teas, tinctures, and oils. You can also add them to soups, stews, and other savory dishes. Calendula flower petals and foliated flowering tops are of medicinal value. Calendula flowers contain calendin, several important ingredients:

• malic acid and pentadactyl acid;
• salicylic acid, in small amounts;
• resins;
• carotene and essential oil.

Calendula inflorescences are used to prepare infusions, tinctures, teas, and decoctions. Of course, we cannot forget about using petals for ice cubes. It may add a special charm to any party. You may use them fresh or dried and pair them well with various herbs and spices.

Ideas with Calendula for Cooking 

Here are a few examples of recipes with these flowers  which are edible:

• Calendula and Thyme Roasted Chicken. This savory and fragrant dish is made by rubbing a chicken with a mixture of olive oil, fresh calendula petals, thyme, salt, and pepper, then roasting it in the oven.
• Calendula and Carrot Salad. This colorful and vibrant salad is made with grated carrots and fresh calendula petals. A honey mustard vinaigrette is also suitable here. It's perfect for serving as a side dish.
• Calendula Omelet. Beat eggs with milk, salt, and pepper to taste. Pour the marigold petals into the egg-milk mixture. Cook the omelet in a greased frying pan and sprinkle calendula petals over the omelet.

Bottom Line 

In conclusion, edible flowers can add a unique and subtle taste to your culinary masterpieces and a pop of color and elegance. When using our list of edible flowers in cooking, it's important to ensure they are safe to consume and free of chemicals. Flowers from our site are not edible, but you still can please your bellowed people with them. So contact our florists for future orders.

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