EDIBLE FLOWER LIST

EDIBLE FLOWER LIST:

Below is a list of some of the edible flowers and herbs we grow and use in our punnets. 

Our flowers and herbs are grown in our boutique farm in Pukekohe, thus our elite soil is of the Patumahoe loam and we add to it food grade diatomaceous earth to control unwanted insects and to nourish our plants. Our flowers are free of pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides. We grow them in a biodiverse environment where we companion plant for optimal taste and pest control.  We use natural living water for irrigation.

Flowers are picked at two optimal times of the day:  in the morning after the dew has dried (usually a summer pick); or in the evening when they have stored the sun's energy in their petals (makes fruit and flowers sweeter) - best done in winter. If you pick during the summer in the evening make sure they have had a good drink by mid afternoon.

When eating edible flowers for the first time it is important that they are used like condiments, herbs and spices, that is they are not a meal in themselves. It also pays to sample for any allergic reaction one may have. Bear in mind such allergic reaction may only be from the pollen. Shake off pollen if this is the case, otherwise the pollen is beneficial for your body. 

We do our best to remove insects, but because we are spray free they can find themselves on our produce so it is best to rinse beforehand. We shake the flowers to remove insects, but due to their delicate nature one or two may slip past our quality control for the sake of ensuring no damage.

Alyssum (alyssum) Sweet and peppery taste similar to kale.

Angelica: (Angelica archangelica) is grown for its stems and leaves which are candied. The flowers are used in Chinese dishes and as a salad garnish. They have a licorice/celery flavour. The roots can also be eaten. Women who are pregnant and diabetics should avoid taking angelica, or only in small doses.

Apple blossom: tastes daintier than apples; do not eat excessively as the apple seed (from which the blossom will form into via the fruit) does contain cyanide.

Arugula:

Basil: (Ocimum basilicum) flowers taste like mild versions of the leaves. Comes in a variety of species such as ginger, walnuts, etc.

Bee Balm: (Mondard spp.) flower taste very depending on colour and species, from oregano crossed with mint to lemon and orange. Use as an oregano substitute.

Begonias: (tuberous and waxy) both varieties can be eaten. Succulent and crunchy, good for salads.

Borage: (Borago officinalis) blue star-shaped flowers have a cucumber flavour. Try in chilled soups, or punch, and gin and tonic.

Broccoli: (??) The florets (also a flower) if left will blossom into yellow blooms. Similar taste to broccoli.

Burnet: (Sanguisorba minor) petals also taste like cucumbers.

Calendula: is the pot marigold. Add petals to soups and breads.

Cauliflower: ( ) This floret if left will also bloom into blossoms which can be stir-fried or added to salads.

Carnations: (Dianthus caryophyllus) the sweet smelling clove like carnations, bigger than pinks. Remove the heel as it is bitter. Use in desserts, cakes, sweet dishes.

Chamomile: ( ) best known for its soothing tea blend. 


Chicory: 

Chive blossoms: (Allium schoenoprasum) and other allium flowers can be used as mild onion substitutes in salads or to flavour vineyards.

Chrysanthemums: Petals are tangy, and peppery, a bit like cauliflower. We suggest blanch before using, unless in baked goods.

Citrus blossoms: are by fragrant and can be overpowering. The petals may be distilled for flower water to be used in Middle Eastern dishes and confectionery.

Clover (red and white): Eaten in salads. Dried flower heads can be made into nutritious flour. Flowers and seed pods are dried, ground into powder and used as a flour or sprinkled on cooked foods such as boiled rice. Very wholesome and nutritious. The young flowers can also be used in salads. Root - cooked. The dried leaves impart a vanilla flavour to cakes etc. Dried flowering heads are a tea substitute.

Cornflowers: (Centaurea cyanus) also Blue Bachelor’s Buttons. Have a mild clover flavour. Use as a garnish. 

Cosmos: (Suophureus)

Daisy (English): Use in baking.

Dandelions: (Taraxacum officinale) should be picked when young or just opening for their honey-like flavour. Can be used to make teas  (root can be used to make coffee) or petals in salads and baked goods.

Dahlias: 

Daylilies: (Hemerocallis species and varieties) can be picked as buds and stir-fried, or pull petals then tear for a garnish or in salads -  that tastes like sweet lettuce. Yellow flowers have the best taste.

Dianthus: (Dianthus caryophyllus, Dianthus barbatus) Pinks, or Sweet Williams, have a clove like smell, smaller version of the carnation. Various culinary uses.

Dill: (Anethum garveolens) flowers have a strong flavour good for adding to dips, cold soups, and fish dishes.

Elderberry blossom: Used in drinks and baking.


Evening Primrose: 

Fennel: (Foeniculum vulgare) umbels have an anise flavour tinged with honey (from the pollen) and can be used with desserts or replace fennel seeds with chopped fennel blossoms in recipes (baked or cooked).

Feijoa: These blossoms taste like candyfloss. 

Forget-Me-Nots:

Freesias: a cucumber-peppery taste, ideal for use in stuffed hors d'Oeuvres, used in salads; or used as garnish on cakes.


Fuchsias:  (Onagraceae) All species are edible. An ideal green or fruit salad garnish. They look very decorative if crystallised or inserted into jelly. The berries are also edible and useful for making jams.

Geranium: (Pergolamium) This is the scented variety and comes in many flavours chocolate, ginger, nutmeg, rose, mint rose, apple, orangeade, limeade, etc. Blossoms and leaves are both edible. Citronella may not be edible according to some folks.

Gladiolas:  Flowers taste similar to lettuce, and make a lovely receptacle for sweet or savoury spreads or mousses. You could also toss individual petals in salads for colour.


Goldenrod:

Gypsophila: 

Hibiscus: (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) tastes a bit like cranberries, rose hips, or lemon and is an ingredient in many herbal teas. 

Hollyhocks:  (Malvaceae) also known as althaea rosea

Honeysuckle: 

Hyssop:

Impatiens: (Impatiens walleriana) blossoms are sweet and may be used mostly as a garnish or in baked goods – cakes, breads, etc.

Johnny Jump-ups (Viola tricolor or violas) have pretty, tiny pansy-like flowers that are very often used for garnishing soft cheeses, cream on cakes, biscuits or used in pancakes. They have a slight wintergreen flavour.

Lavender: (Lavanadula angustifolia) flowers are more floral and less medicinal than their leafy counterparts and can be used to flavour ice-cream. Stronger lavenders can be used in baked goods such as cakes. All varieties are edible but some are better than others.

Lemon:

Lilac: (Syringa vulgaris) blossoms may have a lemony flavour, but they do vary. Most often flowers are candied or used with desserts and cakes.

Marguerite Daisies: (Argyranthemum frutescens)

Marigold: (Tagetes tenuifolia) petals are used as a substitute for saffron with a mild citrus flavours. Petals can be used sparingly in salads, or in baked good. Use as for pot marigold (calendula). Ensure heel is removed from petal.

Marjoram: (Origanum majorana) flowers are used like the leaves.

Mint: (Mentha spp.) blossoms vary according to the variety like the leaves. The flavour is milder. Comes in apple, spearmint, peppermint, chocolate, orange, Thai, etc.

Mullein: (Verbascum): edible plant with medicinal properties.

Mustard:

Muscari: The flowers can be sprinkled over desserts to add a delicate scented flavour.

Nasturtium: (Tropaeolum majusj) flowers have a strong peppery, watercress-like taste that varies by colour and variety. They can be stuffed with soft cheeses. Use them dipped in icing sugar to garnish omelettes and other baked goods. 

Nigella (aka Love in a Mist)  (Nigella damascena and Nigella Satvia - Black Cumin) Nutmeg flavour. Seeds used as a condiment, found on the top of Turkish bread.


Orange: blossoms are edible.

Oregano: (Origanum vulgare) flowers are milder than the leaves, but may be used in the same way.

Pansy: (Viola x wittrockiana) blossoms have a mild taste, like Johnny jump-ups diluted, somewhat wintergreen.

Pea: (Pisum sativum):

Pinks: (Dianthus varieties) taste a bit like clove. Use for garnish on desserts, cakes or candy or steep in wine.

Phlox: (paniculata perennial) Have a spicy taste. The creeping and annual phlox is not edible.

Poppies (California): No records of toxicity have been seen but this species belongs to a family that contains many poisonous plants. Some caution is therefore advised. Not to be confused with other poppies whose seed is edible but flower stock is not.

Polyanthas, Primrose, Primula vulgaris, Primula veris: Popular as a garnish on salads. Remove the stalks so they sit open-faced on top of lettuce, cress etc. Crystallise or use in pancakes or cakes. Sprinkle fresh polyanthus blossoms in salads, adding a touch of colour and a sweet taste. Flowers can be crystallised and used as decorations, making them ideal for special cakes and desserts, for example on Mothering Sunday or at Easter.

Portulacas: (aka Purslane and  Rose Moss) The moisture-rich leaves are cucumber-crisp, and have a tart, almost lemony tang with a peppery kick. The stems, leaves and flower buds are all edible. Purslane may be used fresh as a salad, stir-fried or cooked as spinach is, and because of its mucilaginous quality it also is suitable for soups and stews.

Radish: Excellent small flowers ideal to scatter through summer salads with a milder taste of radish. 

Redbud: Again use small quantities as contains saponin.

Rosemary: (Rosmarinus officinalis) has blue, pink or white flowers depending on variety and have a similar taste but in a milder form.

Roses: (Rosa species and varieties) vary from species to species. All are edible from organic pesticide free growers. Use petals as garnish on desserts, cakes or baked goods. Freeze them in ice-cubes for drinks, and mix coloured parts of petals with butter for a scented spread. Candy petals. Rose water is used in Middle Eastern candies and cakes (e.g. Turkish Delight). Heirloom roses with their strong fragrance are the best tasting. Avoid florist or nursery roses which often are grown for floral and aesthetic values with the downside of fragrance being lost with these new varieties of roses.

Running Green Bean: 

Safflower: (Carthamus tinctorius) flowers are dried for a saffron substitute that will add colour to dishes.

Sage: (Salvia officinalis) blossoms have a milder taste than the leaves. Pineapple sage blossoms taste of pineapple but milder that the leaves. Use in pork, beef and chicken dishes.

Savoury: (Satureja hortensis) flowers are hot and peppery.

Snapdragons: Can have a bitter taste or bland. Use as a garnish or add to applesauce with raisins.
Dark colours excellent source of phytochemicals.

Sorrel: (Rumex acetosa) flowers taste lemony, like the leaves, and are great for garnishing cream soups.

Squash flowers:  

Stock:  Flowers are usually added to salads raw or a garnish to desserts, they can also be candied. Their flavour is perfumed.

Sunflower: (Helianthus annuus)  flower buds can be picked and steamed like little artichokes. Use torn petals in baked goods or butter.

Thyme: (Thymus spp.) flowers are a gentler version of the plant’s leaves and stems. Use flowers in meat dishes, or wherever thyme is called for.

Tulip: (Liliaceae) The bulb and the flowers have been known to cause dermatitis in sensitive people. Safe to eat up to 5 bulbs a day without ill-effect, but like any food 1 or 2 servings would suffice on a plate.

Verbena: 

Violas: Also known as Johnny-Jump Ups

Violet: (viola spp)  Sweet and wild violets. flowers have a delicate perfume flavour, and may be candied or used to garnish desserts and cakes. Can come in blue and white. We have cultivated violet and wild violet.  

Yarrow: Aromatic teas can be made with the flowers. Do not induce large amounts and it is medicinally flagged for being a sedative.

Yucca: (Yucca spp) petals are mild with a hint of sweetness like a mix of artichoke and asparagus.

Zucchini flowers: