Edible Flower Types & Usage Suggestions
Nasturtiums
Flowers, leaves, stems, and seed pods are edible.
Tasting notes: Leaves are peppery with bright citrus notes; similar to watercress, arugula, or wasabi. Flowers are delicate and mildly floral with slightly sweet nuances.
Uses: Use these vibrant colored blooms as a garnish in any dish! Embellish a salad, cheese plate, or stuff the flowers with an herbed ricotta. Leaves can be used in savory baked goods like quiche or scones or blended into fresh pesto.
Violas
Flowers are edible. Remove stems.
Tasting notes: Mildly sweet with delicately perfumed notes.
Uses: Sprinkle onto salads or smoothie bowls. Stir into iced beverages for pops of color. Try candying them for decorating cakes, cookies, or chocolates. These flowers can also be dried for seasoning blends or steeped into teas or simple syrups.
Tip: Soak them in cold water to let them swell up slightly before use!
Borage
Flowers are edible.
Tasting notes: Tastes like a cucumber! Texture is like spinach.
Uses: Versatile; Salad, iced beverages, smoothies or blanch for 30 seconds and stuff inside pasta shells or raviolis in place of spinach.
Tips: Remove the hairy sepals behind the flower. Pinch the middle of the “star” and pull. Packed with Vitamins A, B, & C.
Snapdragon
Flowers are edible.
Tasting notes: slightly bitter with crispy texture, reminiscent of radicchio.
Uses: Use the blooms or chop and fold into savory side dishes like risotto, potato salad, or couscous. These beauties can be candied to add vibrant colors and texture to desserts.
Tip: Pickle the flowers to reduce some of the bitterness and preserve them for off-season uses.
Marigolds
Flowers are edible.
Tasting notes: Zesty and citrusy with notes of saffron.
Uses: Use raw petals as a garnish for sweet to savory dishes. Pairs well with tomatoes, squash, and asparagus! Try it in savory soups or lightly steep into broth for mussels. Can act as a natural food coloring in baked goods or syrups.
Tip: Remove entire petal from the stem. Cut off the white/pale greenish heels to reduce bitterness.
Zinnias
Petals are edible.
Tasting notes: This gorgeous flower tends to be on the bitter side.
Uses: Keep it simple and light, garnish on cakes or sprinkle into a salad for eye popping color.
Dianthus
Petals are edible.
Tasting notes: Spicy floral notes.
Uses: Great in cocktails, simple syrups, butter, and infused into vinegar. Try them candied or use as a fresh garnish in salad, sushi, spring rolls, or dessert.
Cornflower
Petals are edible.
Tasting notes: Spicy and clove-like with a subtle sweetness.
Uses: Tear the petals into salads or use dried in herbal teas and infused into cocktails.
Tips: Is said to soothe menstrual disorders like yeast infections, constipation and reduce a fever/chest congestion.
Chamomile
Flower, buds, and leaves are edible.
Tasting notes: These flowers are mild, sweet, and herbal. Pairs well with other herbs likes tarragon, mint, and lavender. Excellent with citrus!
Uses: Steep dried buds in water to make a a smoothing and calming tea. Add fresh to salads, oatmeal, or baked goods. Great infused into oils, syrups, or into stocks to flavor soup.
Lilacs
Flowers are edible.
Tasting notes: Sweet floral aromas. Tastes are floral and slightly bitter.
Uses: Best used to infuse! Try this delicate flower infused into simple syrup to flavor beverages and desserts.
Tips: Did you know that lilacs are part of the olive family?
Roses
Flowers are edible.
Tasting notes: These tender petals have a mild floral flavor. Are said to be a great antioxidant and contain vitamin C and A.
Uses: So classy! The petals are a superb garnish or inclusion in compound butters, salad dressings, baked goods and cocktails. Use in jellies, jam, or steep into teas for a beautiful glow from within.
Edible Orchids
Flowers are edible.
Tasting notes: A flavor blend of cucumber and endive.
Uses: You can often find these as a fresh garnish. They are also fabulous in stir fry if you’re looking for something savory. Of course, these gorgeous flowers are great to candy for a compliment to your desserts or beverages.
Tips: In some cultures these are used medicinally as they are said to have high levels of vitamin C to stave off infections and boost your immune system.
Begonia
Flowers are edible.
Tasting Notes: Lemon-citrus flavors with a hint of sour. The texture is light and crips.
Uses: Excellent eye-catching pop to brighten up a salad with these citrus notes. Try with your favorite fish or add that extra touch to your chicken piccata or any other light dish that calls for lemon.
Micro Star Flower
Flowers are edible.
Tasting Notes: Mildly sweet and delicate.
Uses: These tiny gems are beautiful when used as a garnish for dishes looking for delicate enhancements. Great addition to liven up your tea sandwich boards. Pinkies out!
Micro Sun Daisy
Flowers are edible.
Tasting notes: A slight bit bitter, similar notes to mustard. Grassy flavors but overall very mild.
Uses: These tiny flowers are a perfect pairing with fish, tea sandwiches, hors d’oeuvores, or salads.
Tips: Note that not all daisies are edible. Stick with these micros for edible consumption, not your average daisy!
Bee Balm
Leaves and flowers are edible.
Tasting notes: Stunning scarlet blossoms attract pollinators of all kinds. Known as wild bergamot. Minty, citrusy, oregano like aroma and flavor with a hint of sweetness.
Uses:Use petals in tea, salads, or dessert. The spicier leaves are great for an oregano or thyme substitute. Excellent pairing for tomatoes; pizza topping, cook into soups, stews, marinara, meat marinades, or try with seafood.
FAQ's
Do I need to wash the flowers?
Yes. All our flowers should be washed before consumption or use.
Are all flowers edible?
No. There are a selection of flowers that are not edible. It is important to consult an expert when foraging, growing your own, or shopping for flowers to consume. Follow the “Edible Flower Types & Usage Suggestions” section to review each flower’s edible parts.
What parts of edible flowers are actually edible?
Please follow the “Flower Types & Usage Suggestions” section of our website or contact us to consult you before assuming all parts of edible flowers are indeed edible. Some edible flowers have edible leaves and stems, but not all. Ask us if you would like to know more!
Do edible flowers have health benefits?
There is a lot of research that has been done on the added health benefits of edible flowers. Edible flowers are known to contain high levels of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, and vitamins rich in supporting overall healthy and wellbeing. Each flower is different so depending on your need, we can help align you with our suggestions to feel and look your best. There is still a lot of research to be done within the world of edible flowers, which is part of our mission to explore at Blooming Kitchen Co.
What is the shelf life?
7-10 days when kept in optimal conditions. We recommend storing with your lettuces in the crisper drawer and kept sealed until you’re ready to wash and use.
How do I care for my purchase?
Refrigerate as soon as possible after purchase to retain the best flavor and texture. We like to store ours with our lettuces in the crisper drawer. Temperatures between 38-40 degrees is optimal. Try to keep the humidity down and keep container sealed. Always wash before use.
Are your products organic?
We do not have an Organic certification, however, we feel it is very important when consuming edible flowers that we are conscious to focus on upholding our standards to meet and/or exceed organic and sustainable practices.
Can I consume edible flowers when pregnant?
Blooming Kitchen Co recommends that pregnant women do not consume edible flowers as more research is to be done on effects and consumption levels. Medical references are not approved by the FDA.
What about allergies?
Blooming Kitchen Co does not know the individual consumer’s allergies. We are not responsible for allergic reactions or sensitivities associated with consumption of these products. Please consult your doctor for more information on your personal sensitivities.