Do you think about elevating your meals? What if you could bring a sprinkle of vibrant flowers on your plates? That’s the magic of edible flowers. In this blog, we spill all the flower secrets - from how to use them in food to what some edible flowers taste like. Whether you are a foodie, a creative cook, or simply flower-curious, this guide is here to show you how edible flowers can be a feast for your eyes and your taste buds.
The Rising Trend of Edible Flowers
Edible flowers have become one of the prettiest modern trends in eating. From gardens to gourmet restaurants to home kitchens for Instagrammers, flowers are everywhere. But what is an edible flower?
They are flowers that are safe to eat and they are especially cultivated for culinary purposes. These flowers are not grown like the bouquet on your dining table, but these are grown under strict conditions to ensure no pesticides have been used and are brimming with flavor and color. They find their use from garnishing dishes to salads and desserts to cocktails.
With the increase in aesthetic interests and more people interested in healthier ways of living, the demand for edible flowers has begun to rise. Edible flowers grown locally are sought after mostly because they are fresh and sustainable, making them the choice for culinary use like salads.
Types of Edible Flowers and Their Flavor Profiles
Flowers have been a part of our diet for thousands of years. Chinese cooks were experimenting with edible flowers as far back as 3,000 B.C.E. and the Romans used violets and roses in their food as well as lavender in sauces. The practice is still going strong today, with many restaurants using petals to add a unique flavor and appearance. But it’s not just restaurant chefs who can use edible flowers for dishes.
Now don't be surprised at how many edible varieties you can find in your garden. These are a few types of edible flowers along with their culinary skills:
Hibiscus: Infuse the flowers to make a popular, mildly citrus-flavored tea. Add strips of vibrant-coloured petals to fruit salads. It is best to use the petals from the flower heads.
Pansy: Add a decorative touch to a green salad or garnish a pâté or dessert with a lettuce-like leaf. They can be crystallized and used to decorate cakes or creamy desserts.
Borage: The petals of borage have a cucumber-like taste and the stamens add a hint of sweetness. Mix these flowers into vegetable and fruit salads, or use them to garnish desserts or soups. This is also an excellent choice for freezing in ice cubes and floating on iced tea.
Marigolds: These citrus-scented flowers are perfect for a salad course because of their bright tang and flavor.
Some flowers may only be available in one season, while others have no season. If they are locally grown, fresh will likely be the word describing their flavors. Make sure to check availability by the season to get the most amazing edible flowers for your experiments.
Health Benefits of Edible Flowers
While looking forward to a healthy diet, you might have barely heard of the flowers, but they are a rich source of essential bodily minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and the necessary fibers.
These elements are so beneficial for the body that they can even cure cancer and heart diseases when used regularly. Isn't it interesting?
Pansy
A great source of vitamin C, these flowers can help boost your immune system. Pansies are also rich in flavonoids, which are potent antioxidants that protect against cellular damage and inflammation.
Pansies can be finely diced and added to a simple green salad for a pop of texture for a more straightforward recipe. Pansy seeds are easily available online and grown with ease too.
Viola
Violas have been used in herbal formulas for generations and are known for their soothing and anti-inflammatory action. They are mainly effective in treating coughs, colds, and bronchitis, which are respiratory illnesses.
Flowers and leaves of violas are edible; thus, they can add a new option to the diet. In addition, these two parts of the flower are made of an array of antioxidant and flavonoid compounds, which combat stress oxidation for overall wellness.
Also, the natural compounds in violas aid in the skin and hence find their way into most herbal skincare preparations to soothe irritation and reduce redness. The slightly sweet, mild flavor makes it a wonderful addition to salads, teas, or desserts; hence, you can enjoy the health benefits of your favorite dishes.
Begonia
Traditionally, begonia leaves and flowers have been used in herbal medicine to treat digestion problems and mild gastrointestinal complaints. Their natural acidity enhances appetite and digestion.
Rich in vitamin C, begonia forms an excellent weapon against immunity and inflammation. It also has mild diuretic properties and strengthens the kidneys while detoxifying the entire body.
Eat it raw or brew it into an infusion. It adds a sour citrus taste to salads, drinks, and desserts.
Borage
These beautiful star-shaped flowers are seen in the flowering plant. It is also popular in herbal therapy for remedial action against common ailments such as sore throat and cough.
Borage is edible; its flowers and leaves are all used in a variety of ways in the kitchen. They have a mildly sweet flavor reminiscent of honey and cucumber.
How to Incorporate Edible Flowers into Your Meals
Edible flowers are not only attractive but also significantly versatile, suggesting thousands of applications for making the best dishes.
3 ways to try the edible flower foodie trend
Let this choice be on your list if you are an experienced chef or a bit curious, adventurous home cook.
- Salads: Throw in some pansies or nasturtiums along with your greens for a pop of color and flavor.
- Ice Cubes: Freeze some petals in ice cubes, which can give some zing to your drinks.
- Desserts: Use flowers like lavender to infuse cakes or ice cream with that subtle floral aroma.
The easiest way to start experimenting with edible flowers is a simple edible flower salad. That way, you're guaranteed a well-balanced mix of flavors and textures by buying pre-designed salad bundles accompanied by edible flowers.
That way, you simply enjoy the experience instead of bothering about pairing. With just a few petals, you can turn ordinary dishes into creations.
Why Choose Locally Grown Edible Flowers?
Along with supporting local florists and farmers, choosing locally grown edible flowers also ensures fresher and more flavorful blooms on your plate. These flowers are cultivated with love and care. By choosing local produce, we contribute to a stronger local food system and reduce the harmful environmental impact.
Sustainability: If we’re interested in a smaller carbon footprint in 2025, it’s important to think about the why and how of our consumer choices. Locally grown flowers are always the most planet-friendly option, so why not use them all year round?
Freshness: The flower is harvested at its peak when grown locally, ensuring that it has maximum flavor as well as nutritional value.
Community Support: By investing in locally grown flowers, you are preserving farmland and supporting the health of your local economy and your local environment. We need to support farmers by buying from them and paying respectful prices for their products.
Planted Detroit, one of the major vertical farms in Michigan, offers locally grown edible flowers with sustainable practices that ensure you are getting the freshest possible blooms without harming the planet.
The Best Edible Flowers for Different Occasions
Edible flowers bring elegance, and vibrancy to an event. Whether they enhance the flavor or the outlook of special occasions, edible flowers can be used to complement a gathering. Here is a guide to choosing the perfect flowers for every setting:
Weddings: It is romantic and elegant with roses and violets. Many people often use them on wedding cakes and drinks.
Parties: Nasturtiums - give zest with their bright colors and peppery taste; they are great for lively gatherings.
Formal Dinners: Lavender adds a sense of elegance to desserts or cocktails.
At Planted Detroit, we flaunt a selection of edible flowers like Viola, Borage, Snapdragon, Zinnias, Nasturtium, and Dianthus. Grown without herbicides or pesticides, these flowers are a feast to your eye and your physical well-being. Imagine throwing a dinner party where every dish and drink was a delight because it came garnished with edible flowers. Your guests will be simply amazed, but it will be the scents and flavors that linger long after the night is over. Edible flowers make any occasion memorable, with flavor and beauty.
Creative DIY Projects with Edible Flowers
Edible flowers are not only for the plate but also perfect as accompaniments for special individual touches with your house, for decorating gifts, or simply for projects that add some personality to all things. Let your imagination bloom with such ideas:
Floral Butter: Mix colorful petals into softened butter to create a vibrant and flavorful spread for breads and crackers. An easy way to elevate your table setting.
Add flower petals like lavender or chamomile to honey for a sweet floral twist to be used in tea and desserts.
Ice Cubes
Freeze some petals and put them in ice cube trays to add an airy effect to drinks. It is so wonderful for summer partying and bridal shower events.
Decorative Desserts
For this stunning visual appeal, use pressed petals to decorate cookies, cupcakes, or even cheesecakes.
These projects are not only simple but also a great way to showcase creativity. Whether for a gift or adding a touch of flavor to a meal, these floral DIYs will really stun and impress.
Edible flowers are the epitome of more than a culinary trend. They represent celebration at its finest; celebrating the beauty and bounty nature has bestowed upon us, ranging from improving our diet to boosting our health.
Ready to dive into the world of edible flowers?
Salad bowls and the Ultimate Green Bundle are on offer from Planted Detroit, plus fresh locally grown edible flowers perfect for your culinary adventures. With deliveries every Wednesday, now is your chance to add a little color and flavor to the kitchen. Take a look through their offerings and let the meals bloom!