Your house is an exciting place that keeps you occupied and entertained. You don’t have to follow anybody’s command but your heart’s. When you feel your life deserves to be more easygoing, you introduce a spa-like feature and soak yourself in the warm water to get rid of all the toxins from your body. If a task bothers you, you buy a machine to lower your burden. Those who suddenly decide to shed extra kilos either head straight to the kitchen to prepare something healthy and fat-free or buy a treadmill. It is right to say that these changes become a regular part of your life.
From the decision to buy a heavy-duty laundry sink to remodeling the entire house, you rule everywhere. Isn’t this so empowering? While all these are mundane realities, let’s explore the world of taste and health. Do you know the flowers in your garden can enhance the flavors of your dishes? It will not sound crazy if you are aware of edible flowers.
No, it’s not about the buttercream buds you see on cakes. The edible flowers are something you grow in your garden and eat too. They keep your landscape colorful and full of textures. But when you add them to your recipes, the flavors genuinely open up to entertain your tastebuds. Generally, these are annuals, but some may grow by themselves through self-seeding. So, here are some edible flower suggestions to make your gourmet table extra appealing.
Rose
Every rose species can have a unique flavor, but most are edible. You can experiment with them more freely. The sweet-tasting petals can be best for jams, beverages, and Middle East-based treats. You can use them as a spice.
Dandelion
People call it a weed, but they don’t know dandelion is edible and delicious. The young blooms can have a honey-like flavor about them but not much on the sweet side. Some can also feel slightly bitter. Remove the flower head to add petals to the biscuit, shortbread, and scones batter. You can also use them in appetizers like deep-fried tempura batter and eat the preparation with a dip.
Hibiscus
Many trendy cocktail recipes take advantage of its flavor. The tropical flower has an inherent tangy cranberry zest and feels very refreshing. The antioxidant-rich flower can make your potables healthy also.
Violas
These pansies can be the perfect garnishing or star of the recipe based on how you use them. The mild flavors allow them to sync well with herbs. Mix basil, parsley, chive, and viola equally in the softened cream cheese to accompany your bread. Your brunch menu will feel sorted.
Squash blossoms
Check your garden for pumpkins and zucchini. The crop can produce perfect flowers. Remove them gently for marination with semi-soft cheese containing herbs and batter. Fry them golden brown. You can make them fluffy by adding seltzer water to the batter.
Marigold
Again, varieties are no bar, but each comes with unique flavors. Some of the best picks can be gem marigolds and French marigolds for their citrus taste. People use this flower for its ability to enhance the color of a dish. When you add this edible bloom to salads or vegan summer rolls containing shredded carrots, bean sprouts, and scallion slices, they look bright and tasty. If you didn’t know, some call it “the poor man’s saffron” for its color.
Lavender
You can be familiar with its perfume, which smells sweet. It can be another fantastic addition to your diet. However, you must be careful about its quantity as it can be too flavorful. Do you love ice cream? Try it in your recipe. Let petals sit in cream and strain it. After this, you can mix other ingredients.
Peonies
These seasonal flowers may be available for a short time, but the fruit taste of these flowers makes them the perfect accompaniment for jelly or jam. Just pick a few of the blossoms for your dish.
Rosemary
The flowers look delicate and pale, and the leaves robust. With their subtle flavor, they can make your pasta recipes and salads more remarkable. You can garnish your poultry-based soups with it.
Nasturtiums
You can add raw flower petals to salads to enjoy the impact. These flowers taste much like mustard. Remember to sprinkle some beets and walnuts for an enhanced gourmet experience. These can also go as stuffing in your finger foods containing goat cheese.
Clover
Red clover can be an excellent addition to your tea for its anti-inflammatory qualities. You get these flowers in red and white colors, and both taste like vanilla. You can use them in sweet baked items.
Daylilies
Buds can have a strong flavor than the blooms. You can add dried buds to soup recipes for a zing, and your dips and egg preparations can welcome them with open arms.
Tulips
These can be the perfect thing for your seasonal meals. Tulip petals enjoy beans and peas kind of flavors. Due to this, it can be exciting to make them a part of your soft cheeses and salads.
Carnations
You can see them as ground covers in various colors. Their distinctive flavor can be a boon for your sorbets, drinks, and salad. However, you must manage their bitter base beforehand to avoid an unpleasant experience.
A few critical points
Remember, some species can be poisonous, and even a few edible flowers can have toxic elements. Also, you can consume the edible flowers’ petals after removing their bitter base. But avoid pistil and stamen. Some native plants can be safe to eat, but anything treated with chemicals will not be safe for your health. Please avoid them. You get certified organic edible flowers in the market. You can buy or grow them in your garden, whichever suits you.
Every super hit recipe may lose its charm after repetitive use. You can keep it interesting with the infusion of subtle ingredients like edible flowers and others. So, explore what you can do with certain flowers and make your meals more enjoyable. Pick only the safe varieties.
