We are often asked for edible flowers to decorate cakes or to jazz up a regular meal. Edible flowers are a great way to add color, flavor, and nutrition to your meals. We are also asked what flowers are edible. So here are 12 edible flowers, along with some details on how they taste, how to pick and store them, how to grow them, and how to use them in your cooking.
1. Bellis Perennial (Daisy)
Bellis perennis, also known as the common daisy, has subtle-tasting petals that make a lovely garnish for savory dishes like sandwiches, soups, and salads. You can also freeze daisy flowers in ice cubes or float them in drinks for an impressive treat. To pick edible flowers, do so in the late afternoon or early evening, or in the morning after the dew has dried. Bellis perennis is easy to grow and doesn't require any special care. It just needs lots of sunshine and well-draining soil.
2. Chamomile (Matricaria Chamomilla)
Chamomile flowers have a sweet, apple-like flavor and are often used to make tea. You can also use them to flavor desserts like cakes and cookies. To pick chamomile flowers, do so in the morning when the flowers are fully open. Chamomile is easy to grow and prefers full sun to partial shade.
3. Dahlia
Dahlia flowers have a slightly bitter, earthy flavor and are often used in salads. You can also use them to decorate cakes and other desserts. To pick dahlia flowers, do so in the morning when the flowers are fully open. Dahlia is easy to grow and prefers full sun to partial shade.
4. Dianthus (sweet william)
Dianthus flowers have a clove-like taste and are often used to flavor desserts like cakes and cookies. You can also use them to decorate salads and other dishes. To pick dianthus flowers, do so in the morning when the flowers are fully open. Dianthus is easy to grow and prefers full sun to partial shade.
5. Lavender
Lavender flowers have a sweet, floral flavor and are often used to flavor desserts like ice cream and shortbread. You can also use them to make tea. To pick lavender flowers, do so in the morning when the flowers are fully open. Lavender is easy to grow and prefers full sun to partial shade.
6. Nasturtium
Nasturtium flowers have a peppery, slightly spicy flavor and are often used in salads. You can also use them to decorate cakes and other desserts. To pick nasturtium flowers, do so in the morning when the flowers are fully open. Nasturtium is easy to grow and prefers full sun to partial shade.
7. Pansies
Pansy flowers have a mild, slightly sweet flavor and are often used to decorate cakes and other desserts. You can also use them to flavor salads and other dishes. To pick pansy flowers, do so in the morning when the flowers are fully open. Pansies are easy to grow and prefer full sun to partial shade.
8. Snapdragon
Snapdragon flowers have a slightly sweet, floral flavor and are often used to decorate cakes and other desserts. You can also use them to flavor salads and other dishes. To pick snapdragon flowers, do so in the morning when the flowers are fully open. Snapdragon is easy to grow and prefers full sun to partial shade.
9. Stock
Stock flowers have a sweet, spicy flavor and are often used to flavor desserts like cakes and cookies. You can also use them to decorate salads and other dishes. To pick stock flowers, do so in the morning when the flowers are fully open. Stock is easy to grow and prefers full sun to partial shade.
10. Tagetes (Marigold)
Tagetes flowers have a slightly bitter, citrusy flavor and are often used to flavor soups and stews. You can also use them to decorate salads and other dishes. To pick tagetes flowers, do so in the morning when the flowers are fully open. Tagetes is easy to grow and prefers full sun to partial shade.
11. Viola
Viola flowers have a mild, slightly sweet flavor and are often used to decorate cakes and other desserts. You can also use them to flavor salads and other dishes. To pick viola flowers, do so in the morning when the flowers are fully open. Viola is easy to grow and prefers full sun to partial shade.
12. Others
There are many other edible flowers to choose from, including borage, calendula, chrysanthemum, hibiscus, and rose.
After picking your flowers store them in a sealed plastic container, lined with paper towels, in your fridge’s crisper section.
When buying, it's important to buy organic flowers from a reputable grower. Simply washing the flowers will not remove any toxins without damaging the flowers. Of course you can grow your own edible flowers in your garden or in containers on your balcony or patio. Just make sure they get plenty of sunshine and well-draining soil.
So go ahead and experiment with these beautiful blooms in your cooking or decorating that cake with these 12 varieties!