Would you like to buy edible flowers to decorate a cake or dish? Or perhaps you’d prefer to grow them right in your own garden or pick them in the wild?
I will help you.
As a florist, I often get asked by my clients if I can provide them with edible flowers, whether it’s to decorate their wedding cake, a festive dish, or even to use them directly in cooking as a seasoning.
Today, I’m sharing everything I know about this topic so you too can wow your guests with edible flowers!
There are so many options: Clover, Daisy, Borage, Violet, Pansy, Marigold, or even Chrysanthemum! Perfect for decorating your dishes, edible flowers require some precautions before being used in cooking. Make sure to use flowers that are truly edible and have been thoroughly cleaned and free of any chemicals. If you want to add flavor to your dishes, opt for aromatic flowers instead: Wild Garlic, Chives, Rosemary, Thyme, Mint, etc. If possible, pick them just before you cook!
Want to learn more? Keep reading to discover:
- How to use edible flowers in cooking
- Some tips for consuming flowers safely
- A selection of edible flowers to enhance your dishes
- Floral ideas for decorating your cakes
- How to preserve edible flowers
How to Use Edible Flowers?
Whether you’re looking to create colorful dishes to impress your guests or to explore new flavors, edible flowers are valuable allies in the kitchen!
Here are some ideas for incorporating them into your recipes:
- Decorate the icing on a wedding cake, a tiered cake, or a celebration cake … ,
- Add them to a salad for a refreshing touch,
- Use them as garnishes on your appetizers and refined dishes, for example, to accompany a block of foie gras,
- Create with candies, such as crystallized rose petals,
- Use them to create delightful infusions and flavored drinks,
- … and so much more!
Some Precautions to Take Before Consuming Flowers …
⚠️ Because some flowers can be very toxic to humans if ingested, it is very important not to consume just any flower.
Before adding a new plant to your recipes, I recommend carefully checking if that plant is edible.
Attention, for many plants, only a part is edible: it may be the roots, the stem, or even the flower. The rest can be toxic. So, make sure to properly prepare the part of the plant that is safe to eat.
If you’re unsure, you can ask a botanist or a pharmacist. These specialists can surely assist you with your inquiries.
Make sure to thoroughly wash your plant, and avoid picking it from fields that have been treated with chemical pesticides. Some of these substances can be very harmful to your health.
📚 If you’re interested in foraging for wild plants, I highly recommend the excellent guide Edible Wild Plants, written by S. G. FLEISCHAUER, J. GUTHMAN, and R. SPIEGELBERGER, published by Ulmer in March 2018. It’s packed with fascinating information and unique recipes you can make using plants and flowers gathered during walks in the woods or fields.
🎞️ You can also check out the YouTube channel of Christophe de Hody, a botanist who specializes in edible plants. In short videos, he showcases various species of edible flowers that you can find in your local area.
Here is an excerpt:
In summary, before consuming a flower:
Discover Edible Flowers!
Now that you know how to safely cook and eat flowers, it’s time for me to introduce you to some varieties that you should definitely include in all your recipes!
Colorful Little Flowers to Sprinkle on Your Dishes and Salads
Whether you’re looking to decorate your plates or whip up a spring salad to impress your guests, these small flowers are perfect for adding a pop of color to your dishes:
➡️Its slightly spicy flavor will elevate your salads!
Capucine
➡️ Its flavor is reminiscent of lamb’s lettuce.
➡️ It’s very pretty in a shredded carrot salad, and its color will enhance your dishes! It is characterized by a briny flavor.
Borage
➡️ A little sweet, this flower pairs well with the flavors of desserts!
➡️ Its vibrant color will make your dishes unforgettable!
Thought
🔸 The Chrysanthemum
➡️ These are the small chrysanthemums that bloom during All Saints’ Day, not the larger varieties.
Larger Flowers for Decorating Cakes
If you want to decorate a cake – or even a large dish – I recommend checking out these flowers that are perfect for the job:
➡️ There are many recipes that use roses. Discover them in our article dedicated entirely to this topic!
➡️ This delicate bell-shaped wildflower is perfect for decorating most dishes.
➡️ This sweet summer flower can adorn your desserts, as well as flavor jams and macarons.
➡️ Similar to the Daisy, its taste resembles that of salad. However, it is more pronounced and has a slightly bitter flavor.
Herb Flowers to Enhance Your Recipes
Finally, if you want to add flowers to your salads and dishes that provide an extra burst of flavor and impress your guests, I recommend choosing flowers from herb plants. Here are the main ones to consider:
➡️ Its small purple flowers can garnish a meat dish with sauce.
➡️ Its flowers and leaves can be enjoyed together, adding a delicate flavor to your fresh cheese salads. It also pairs wonderfully with chocolate!
➡️ Garlic flowers have a milder flavor and are easier to digest than the part of the plant that we usually consume.
Garlic flower
➡️ Very easy to grow, it adds a slight kick to your dishes, with a flavor reminiscent of onion.
➡️ It’s a sweet flower known for its flavor that resembles vanilla.
➡️ Its unique and somewhat spicy flavor is highly appreciated by many food lovers!
➡️ Like rosemary, it delicately seasons a sauce-based dish.
Rosemary / Chives / Mint
How to Preserve Edible Flowers?
The best solution is to get your flowers as late as possible. However, to avoid complicated logistics, you can pick your flowers the day before and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator (or in several containers, sorting them by variety, so that their unique flavors remain intact).
Be sure to store them in the produce drawer or the least cold part of your refrigerator to prevent freezing!
👉 If you have never cooked with the flower you plan to use, do a test run ahead of time to see if it retains its beauty after a night in the refrigerator. Some petals are quite delicate!
You are now ready to try cooking with flowers and surprise your loved ones with the uniqueness of your dishes!
Want to decorate your table with floral accents? Discover our wide range of floral decor items: eternal roses, flower walls… You can even wear something special for the occasion with a beautiful flower crown!