How to use edible flowers in dishes

Morning glory

Sunday, April 10, 2022

Edible flowers can be strictly ornamental or can add flavor and texture to a dish or beverage.  Here are some ideas on how to use edible flowers in your kitchen. 

Herb flowers are  not only pretty and a pollinator attractor, they also have a similar taste to the leaves of the herb plant.  Most flowers taste is much less strong than the leaves.  There are exceptions, like chives, which I find to have a very strong onion taste. 

I think a great way to use herbal flowers is to add them as a pretty topping to a cooked dish, or to a salad for an extra layer of flavor, or mix into or onto sour cream toppings.  Nasturtium flowers are beautiful and have a peppery twang.  I use them as I would other herbal flowers.

Add dried herbal flowers to seasoning salts and mixes.  Integrate them into salad dressings or flavored oils and vinegars.  Dried flowers can also be used in teas.  Many edible flowers are believed to have medicinal attributes, but even if they don't, they make a pretty and aromatic tea to enjoy!

Using herbs, flowers and fruit for flavored sugars and salts

Quick tip-make your own flavored oils

Make your own flavored vinegars

Make your own teas from garden grown herbs

 My favorite way to use edible flowers is fresh and decorative.  Add fresh flowers to a cheese board with a variety of colors and flavors.  Add them to a salad for flavor, texture and/or to just make it pretty.  This time of year, redbud trees are in bloom.  Redbud trees are in the pea family and their flowers have a pea-like taste.  Pretty and tasty to add to a fresh cut salad!  

Edible flowers:  Add edible flowers to your veggie garden and pots

Note:  Always verify that the flower you are using is edible using reliable sources.  Even though the flower is edible, it does not mean the entire plant is safe to eat.