EDIBLE FLOWERS MAKE YOUR GARDEN PRETTY BUT CAN ALSO ADD FLAVOUR TO MEALS
A flower’s main job is to be beautiful – they attract pollinators in order to produce seeds. Not only do they make your garden look pretty but thy can also add interesting flavours to your meals.
Edible flowers to try in your 2022 garden:
pansy, nasturtium, chive, rose, lavender, angelica, anise hyssop, basil flowers, borage, calendula, and chamomile.
Native edible flowers:
clover, chicory, dandelion, and asters
Remember not all flowers are edible some are poisonous. Make sure you know what is safe to eat. And do not eat plants sprayed with pesticides or chemicals.
Tips on picking flowers for food:
- Pick edible flowers in the morning, when they have the highest water content.
- Wash in cold water.
- Keep them on some dampened paper towel inside a sealed container in the refrigerator for a few days max one week.
- Wilted flowers can be revived by floating them in some ice water for a few minutes.
- Remove the stamens and styles from flowers before eating. Pollen can cause allergic reactions when eaten by some people, and it may overwhelm the otherwise delicate flavour of the petals. The exception is the Violas, including Johnny-Jump-Ups and pansies, as well as scarlet runner beans, honeysuckle, and clover. The flowers of these varieties can be enjoyed whole, and will probably be more flavourful this way.
