15 Edible Flowers That Will Please Your Palette

How about sauteing some dry-lily buds, topping pansies on cakes and cupcakes, or steeping some carnations in wine? This may sound a little weird, but apart from being adored just for their charm and fragrance, these floral beauties can serve as a garnish on soups and salads, pop some color on your plate, tantalize your taste buds with an assortment of flavors, add some piquancy, provide some crunch and can even be of certain health benefits.

Today, chefs serve gourmet gardens on a platter by incorporating edible flowers in cakes, pasta dishes, soups, and salads. In contrast, bartenders tend to nibble on these edible flowers by infusing them in spirits.

15 Edible Flowers That Will Please Your Palette

1. Anise hyssop

• Scientific name: Agastache foeniculum.
• Common name: Lavender giant hyssop.
• Native: North America.
• Colour: Lavender.
• Taste: Leaves: Anise: Flowers: Honey.
• Uses Salads, seasoning, and tea.
• Benefits: Cures cough, diarrhea, fever, and wounds.

2. Bachelor’s button

• Scientific name: Centaurea cyanus.
• Common name: Cornflower.
• Native: Europe.
• Colour: Blue, Pink, Purple, White.
• Taste: Clove.
• Uses Herbal tea and salads.
• Benefits: High in antioxidants and calcium. Cures sore and bleeding gums, constipation, stomach ulcers, and urinary tract infections.

3. Borage

• Scientific name: Borago officinalis.
• Common name: Starflower.
• Native: Mediterranean region.
• Colour: Blue and pink.
• Taste: Leaves: Cucumber; Flowers: Honey.
• Uses Cocktails, desserts, and salads.
• Benefits: Rich in vitamin A and C, beta carotene, iron, and calcium. Cures cardiovascular, respiratory, and urinary disorders.

4. Chive blossoms

• Scientific name: Allium schoenoprasum.
• Common name: Chinese onion.
• Native: Asia, Europe, and North America.
• Colour: Lavender.
• Taste: Onion.
• Uses Omelets, sauces, soups, and salads.
• Benefits: Rich in vitamin A and C, calcium, and iron. Have diuretic and antiseptic properties.

5. Dandelion

• Scientific name: Taraxacum.
• Common name: Dandelions.
• Native: Eurasia and North America.
• Colour: Bright yellow.
• Taste: Leaves: Bitter; Flowers: Sweet.
• Uses Coffee, salads, and wine.
• Benefits: Rich in antioxidants, vitamin A, C, and K, calcium, iron, manganese, and potassium. It reduces cholesterol, lowers blood pressure, promotes healthy liver, and boosts the immune system.

6. Elderflower

• Scientific name: Sambucus nigra.
• Common name: Elderberry.
• Native: Europe and North America.
• Colour: White.
• Taste: Lychee.
• Uses Cordials, cakes, jellies, syrups, and tea.
• Benefits: Has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Cures cold, flu, and sinus infections boosts the immune system and reduces blood sugar levels. The extract is used in perfumes and lotions.

7. Lilac

• Scientific name: Syringa vulgaris.
• Common name: Common lilac.
• Native: Eastern Asia and Europe.
• Colour: Violet.
• Taste: Lemony.
• Uses Cocktails, desserts, garnishes, and tea.
• Benefits: The essential oil extracted from the leaves is used in aromatherapy. The extract promotes healthy and glowing skin and cures skin problems like sunburn and rashes.

8. Linden

• Scientific name: Tilia tomentosa.
• Common name: Lime bush and basswood.
• Native: Asia, Europe, and North America.
• Colour: Yellow.
• Taste: Jasmine.
• Uses Herbal tea.
• Benefits: Cures cold and flu and acts as an antiseptic, expectorant, and sedative.

9. Nasturtium

• Scientific name: Tropaeolum majus.
• Common name: Nasturtium.
• Native: Central and South America.
• Colour: Pink, Orange, Red, White, and Yellow.
• Taste: Peppery.
• Uses: Salad, soups, stir fry, and vinaigrette.
• Benefits: Rich in vitamin C and cures various respiratory and urinary tract infections.

10. Pineapple sage

• Scientific name: Salvia elegans.
• Common name: Tangerine sage.
• Native: Guatemala and Mexico.
• Colour: Red.
• Taste: Pineapple.
• Uses Cocktails, desserts, salads, and tea.
• Benefits: Cures anxiety and low blood pressure. Has anti-anxiety and antidepressant properties.

11. Pomegranate

• Scientific name : Puncia granatum.
• Common name: Apple with many seeds.
• Native: Northern and Southern Hemisphere.
• Colour: Orange-red.
• Taste: Sour.
• Uses Herbal tea and savory dishes.
• Benefits: Rich in antioxidants, improving memory and keeping blood sugar levels in control.

12. Squash blossoms

• Scientific name: Cucurbita.
• Common name: Courgette or zucchini flowers.
• Native: Andes and Mesoamerica.
• Colour: Yellow.
• Taste: Zucchinis.
• Uses: Battered, fried, stuffed, or made into soups.
• Benefits: Rich in calcium, iron, vitamin A and C.

13. Scented geranium

• Scientific name: Pelargonium cucullatum.
• Common name: Storksbills.
• Native: Southern Africa.
• Colour: Orange, purple, red, and white.
• Taste: Cinnamon, citrus, mint, and rose.
• Uses Butter, cakes, ice cream, jellies, and tea.
• Benefits: Cures intestinal problems and wounds. Essential oil is used in aromatherapy and perfumes.

14. Woodruff

• Scientific name: Galium odoratum.
• Common name: Wild baby’s breath.
• Native: Ireland, Russia, Spain, and Turkey.
• Colour: White.
• Taste: Nutty and Vanilla.
• Uses: Cakes, garnish, salads, tea, and wine.
• Benefits: Cure intestinal discomfort, cramps, and migraines. They are also used in the treatment of kidney stones and liver disease.

15. Yucca

• Scientific name: Yucca filamentosa.
• Common name: Yucca.
• Native: Caribbean and America.
• Colour: White.
• Taste: Artichoke.
• Uses: Garnishes, salads, and soups.
• Benefits: Rich in antioxidants and vitamin C. Treats skin conditions and wounds, boosts the immune system, and eases arthritis pain.

Conclusion

Not all flowers are edible; some might be toxic and safe for human consumption. Make sure you purchase flowers from a trustworthy retailer or use homegrown ones.