Edible flowers are that can be consumed safely. Flowers may be eaten as as a main part of a meal, or may be used as . Flowers are part of many regional , including Asian cuisine, European cuisine, and Middle Eastern cuisines.[Lauderdale, C. and E. Evans. Edible Flowers. Horticulture Information Leaflet 8513. North Carolina State University. 1999.]
Species
A number of foods are types of flowers or are derived from parts of flowers. The costly spice
saffron consists of the stigmas and styles collected from the inside of a type of
crocus flower. Broccoli,
, and
capers are all technically flower buds, albeit immature forms.
Other parts of the plants than the flowers mentioned in this list may be
poisonous.
Flowers reported as edible include:
-
American elderberry ( Sambucus canadensis)
-
Anise hyssop ( Agastache foeniculum)
-
Eruca sativa ( Eruca sativa)
-
Artichoke ( Cynara scolymus)
-
Banana blossom
-
Basil ( Ocimum basilicum)
-
Bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris)
-
Monarda didyma ( Monarda didyma)
-
Black locust (only flowers). The flowers are used as tea, and in .
-
Broccoli ( Brassica oleracea var. italica)
-
Broussonetia kurzii
-
Butterfly pea ( Clitoria ternatea)
-
Cauliflower ( Brassica oleracea)
-
Chamomile ( Chamaemelum nobile)
-
Chervil ( Anthriscus cerefolium)
-
Chinese hibiscus ( Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)
-
Chives ( Allium schoenoprasum)
-
Chicory ( Cichorium intybus)
-
Chickweed (Stellaria Media)
-
Chrysanthemum ( Chrysanthemum spp.)
-
Centaurea cyanus ( Centaurea cyanus)
-
Cosmos (C. Sulphureus) (C. Bipinatus)
-
Dandelion ( Taraxacum officinale)
-
Dianthus ( Dianthus spp.)
-
Dill ( Anethum graveolens)
-
English marigold ( Calendula officinalis)
-
Bellis perennis ( Bellis perennis)
-
Fennel ( Foeniculum vulgare)
-
Pelargonium ( Pelargonium spp.)
-
Alcea rosea ( Alcea rosea)
-
Japanese honeysuckle ( Lonicera japonica) but not any other honeysuckle. Its berries are highly poisonous.
-
Lavandula ( Lavandula spp.)
-
Syringa vulgaris ( Syringa vulgaris)
-
Lovage ( Levisticum officinale)
-
Maguey flower ( Agave spp.)
-
Mangrove trumpet tree ( Dolichandrone spathacea)
-
Markhamia stipulata, similar to the Mangrove trumpet tree flower and sometimes confused with it.
-
Mentha ( Mentha spp.)
-
Tropaeolum majus ( Tropaeolum majus)
-
Okra ( Abelmoschus esculentus)
-
Passiflora ( Passiflora spp.)
-
Salvia elegans ( Salvia elegans)
-
Red clover ( Trifolium pratense)
-
Rose ( Rosa spp.)
-
Rosemary ( Rosmarinus officinalis)
-
Sage ( Salvia officinalis)
-
Sesbania grandiflora, the most popular edible flower in South Asia and Southeast Asia.
-
Snapdragon ( Antirrhinum majus)
-
Cucurbita pepo ( Cucurbita pepo)
-
Sunflower ( Helianthus annuus)
-
Thymus vulgaris ( Thymus vulgaris)
-
Viola odorata ( Viola odorata)
Toxicity
Some flowers are safe to eat only in small amounts.
Malus (
Malus spp.) contain
cyanide precursors, and
Viola tricolor (
Viola tricolor) contain
.
Borage (
Borago officinalis) and
daylily (
Hemerocallis spp.) flowers are
, and
Galium odoratum (
Galium odoratum) can have blood-thinning effects. The flowers of
Tilia (
Tilia spp.) are reportedly "safe in small amounts", but heavy consumption can cause heart damage.
Tagetes patula (
Tagetes spp.) can be harmful in large amounts, and only certain species have an appealing flavor.
Toxic flowers are easily mistaken for edible varieties, and unrelated safe and unsafe species may share a common name. Various non-toxic plants can cause severe allergy in some people. Flowers cultivated as for garden use are not intended for use as food.[Newman, S. E. and A. S. O'Connor. Edible Flowers. Colorado State University Extension. 2013.]
Uses
Edible flowers are added to foods to provide flavor, aroma, and decoration. They can be eaten as part of a
Main course or be incorporated into
or
.
Flowers can be added to
drink as flavorings, or be used to make beverages such as
and
. They are added to spreads such as
butter or
fruit preserves, and to
vinegar,
Marination, and
sauce.
Flowers are also consumed for sustenance.[Coyle, G. Edible Flowers. University of Minnesota Extension Service. Reviewed 1999.] An example of a species with flowers that are of high nutritional value is the Taraxacum, whose flowers are shown to contain high levels of and and possess inflammation and angiogenesis properties.
For the best flavor, flowers should be fresh and harvested early in the day. Wilted and faded flowers and the unopened buds of most species can be unpleasant and often bitter. The taste and color of nectar widely vary between different species of flower; consequently, honey may vary in color and taste depending on the species of flower. Many flowers can be eaten whole, but some have bitter parts, such as the and stems.
See also
Further reading
-
Barash, C. W. Edible Flowers from Garden to Palate. Golden: Fulcrum Publishing, 1993.
-
Brown, K. Flowerpower. New York: Anness Publishing Limited, 2000.
-
Mead, C. and E. Tolley. A Potpourri of Pansies. New York: Clarkson Potter Publishers, 1993.
-
Strowbridge, C. and F. Tillona. A Feast of Flowers. New York: Funk & Wagnalls, 1969.
External links
