Many flowers are safe to eat and can be used as a garnish or ingredient in cooking.
Some of our favourite edible blooms are also easy to grow.
- Nasturtiums: These brightly coloured flowers have a slightly spicy flavour and can be used in salads or as a garnish.
- Pansies and violets: These flowers have a sweet, mild flavour and can be used to decorate desserts or as a colourful addition to salads.
- Calendula: Also known as pot marigolds, calendulas have a slightly bitter taste and can add colour to salads or as a substitute for saffron.
- Roses: The petals of some varieties of roses can be used to make rose water or used to flavour desserts.
- Squash blossoms: These large, showy flowers are typically stuffed with soft cheese and fried in a batter and can also be used in omelettes or soups.
- Chamomile: Chamomile flowers are often used to make tea and have a mild, applelike taste.
Not all flowers are edible; some may be toxic, so make sure you know what you are consuming.
