Did You Know There Are Edible Flowers?

Flowers are beautiful and fragrant. This is no brainer! But, flowers are edible. Yes, you are reading that right. Mother nature bestows us with pretty flowers that can be eaten too! The culinary uses of flowers dates back to ancient years. The petals of the flowers add to salads, smoothies, teas, desserts a dash of unique fragrance, taste, and colour-- everything natural and pleasing.

This is not all. There are promising health benefits of edible flowering plants. Further, without raising your curiosity levels, let’s dig the list of flowers we can eat.

1. Hibiscus

The large and ornate blooms are taken in use for flavouring foods. The most popular species of edible Hibiscus is known by the name of roselle or Hibiscus sabdariffa. The tender petals of Hibiscus flower are used to garnish salads while the stalks are added in soup for taste. The mild citrus flavour of Hibiscus is perfect for flavouring fruit cakes, rum drinks, etc. However, Hibiscus tea is one of the best ways to savour the taste of this flower.

2. Chamomile

This fragrant floral herb needs no introduction. Chamomile is one of the famous eating flowers in India because of its proven health benefits such as reduction in anxiety, improved sleep quality, mental calmness, etc. Chamomile when used in cooking, it lends a sweet and earthy flavour. The chamomile flower and its leaves can be used both in dried and fresh form. Chamomile tea is world famous. How about Chamomile smoothies and syrups? Give it a try, and let us know!

3. Honeysuckle

This flower holds nectar that is way to delicious not to taste. The Japanese and woodbine honeysuckle flowers are the most favoured edible varieties. In the culinary world, the nectar of honeysuckle is used to prepare tea and flavourful syrups. It is also used as a replacement for sugar because of its sweetness. Bear in mind, berries of some honeysuckle varieties may be injurious to health upon ingesting.

4. Lavender

The purple hued lavender has a place in our list of flowers you can eat. To experience the best of both worlds, colour and aroma, lavender is the best choice to trust. To herbal teas, baked goods, ice-creams, syrups, liqueurs, it lends a vivid colour, mysterious smell, and lingering taste.

5. Nasturtium

Another culinary favourite because of the bright flowers and peppery flavour. Both the blossoms and leaves of this flower are edible. Either cooked or raw, Nasturtium tastes fantastic. Spice up the food with colour by adding Nasturtium flowers. Giving you one more reason to love this edible flower-- it is a storehouse of minerals, health-compounds, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory substances.

6. Rose

When talking about flowers, not mentioning roses is hard. When we talk about flowers which we can eat, roses make their presence felt. All roses are edible. Now, that’s pretty cool. It’s pleasant smell makes the favourable choice to consider. The aromatic and sweet flavour of roses make them perfect for sweet dishes, smoothies, cakes, and more.

7. Squash Blooms

Boasting of a mild squashy flavour, Squash blooms are delicious flowers we eat in India and places around. The soft, delicate, mild tasting squash blossoms are consumed in fried, baked, and various other forms.

So, flowers are not just pretty to look at, but they are savoury too!