Did You Know There Were So Many Edible Flowers?

Being an eco-friendly florist, I like to think that we have a good sense of working with the earth in everything we do. We really respect everything that comes from our environment, and we try to utilize the local plants and flowers that grow here in Colorado. we also give back to the earth by composting all living plant matter. Since we are so in touch with the nature that surrounds us, I thought it would be interesting to list some edible flowers. Unfortunately, most florist's flowers are not organic because they are grown for their blooms. If you want to purchase flowers for consumption, check with your florist first to make sure they can get edible flowers. Otherwise, farmers markets are a great place to buy them because they are organic and safe to eat. I got this list from About.com: Home Cooking, which you should look at for a more complete list. You might want to think about adding in these flowers in to our next recipe! My personal favorite is how you can steam sunflowers like artichokes!

Calendula*

It has a spicy, tangy, and peppery-taste, and it adds a golden hue to foods, the same way that turmeric does.

Carnation

It is clove-like with a spicy/peppery taste.

Chrysanthemum*

Mums have a slightly bitter taste. 

Cornflower*

Like carnations, they are also clove-like with a sweet to spicy taste.
 

Gardenia

It has a light, sweet flavor.

Gladiolus*

Tastes like lettuce.

Lavender

We love getting lavender in the shop because it makes the whole place smell delicious! Lavender oil may be poisonous, so be careful! It has a slight "perfumey" flavor. 

Lilac

It has a strong, lemony flavor.

Marigold

It tastes spicy to bitter.

Rose

The stronger the fragrance, the stronger the flavor. It has a sweet, aromatic taste. Be sure to remove the bitter white portion of the petals before you eat them! Rose hips, the red fruit part of the rose bush left after the blooms have died, are also edible. 

Rosemary

Everyone knows this herb! We use it in arrangements as greens and fillers! It is very sweet and pine-like.

Scented Geranium

The citronella variety may not be edible. The taste of a scented geranium can vary from lemon to mint, depending on the variety.

Safflower*

It is like another "poor man's saffron" without the pungent aroma or flavor. 

Snapdragon

An interesting fact about snapdragons is they grow towards the light! They have a bland to bitter flavor. 

Sunflower*

Okay, so I ate the petal of a sunflower here in the shop, and it really does taste leafy and slightly bitter, like the article says! You can lightly steam the petals to lessen the bitterness. And...the most interesting thing is that the unopened flower buds can be steamed like artichokes! Try those for appetizers at your next dinner party! 

Violets

Violets have a sweet, nectar taste

*Only the petals of these composite flowers are edible. The pollen of composite flowers is highly allergenic and may cause reactions in sensitive individuals. Sufferers of asthma, ragweed, and hayfever should not consume composite flowers, and may have extreme allergies to ingesting any flowers at all.