So you bought flowers two or three days ago… Or someone special gave them to you… Whichever it is– did you know that you can add flowers to your recipe? Or have you tried to eat something that has flowers on it? If you don’t and if you haven’t, flowers can actually bring a new flavor to your daily meals. So instead of throwing them out when it’s too dried, why not use it as an additional ingredient? Let me show you how.
How to Use Flowers in your Recipe
Edible flowers can be added as an ingredient or a simple garnish into a meal. Doing so would add a fresh flourish of color and unusual flavor. However before you use them, make sure that they are healthy and free from pesticides, chemical fertilizers, or herbicides. Best to ask the florist about this or use the ones from your own garden. More importantly, wash them first before adding them to your recipe. Make sure that there is no insect stuck inside.
You can use the petals of the edible flowers as an alternative or add-ons to veggies of your recipes. That’s the safest way to include it in your meal. You can also make a side dish out of it– for instance, a salad. You can improvise or follow a recipe carefully from the internet.
Which Flowers are Best Added to your Recipe
Not all edible flowers are best added to your recipe. While they’re all safe to be eaten, most of them taste really bad. It might destroy your dish. So here are the best ones that you can use, together with their taste and common use.
- Roses – The petals of roses as an ingredient or garnish are not new. Romans during ancient times are using it to add flavor to their dishes. It tastes a bit like strawberries and green apples. It’s sweet, but with subtle hints ranging from fruit to mint to spice. It is commonly used as an add-on to salads and desserts.
- Hibiscus – This flower is usually made as a tea but can also be added to your recipe. It tastes like cranberry with a hint of citrus. Its petals can be used in salad or as a garnish to your main dish.
- Carnations – The petals of Carnations when cut away from its bitter white base is surprisingly sweet. Though it is usually used as a wine sweetener or an edible cake decoration, you can also use it as a sweetener for your desserts.
While we only gave you three of the edible flowers, there are many more that can be added to your recipe. These are just the most commonly seen in a flower arrangement, so instead of throwing them away– you can use the petals for your dishes. Happy cooking!
Leave a Reply