Flowers can be used as a vital component in foods, as a seasoning for dishes, just as a garnish, or as a refreshing agent in tea. The very concept of eating flowers seems a bit unusual at first, but once you taste the flavour and know the amazing benefits, you might just get hooked. Here are some flowers that are edible and used in delicious recipes.
Marigold
Marigold is distinctly earthy, mildly bitter flavour is used in many dishes and foods. Vinegar made using marigold makes a great salad dressing – both for its unique flavour and bright colour. A soothing tea made from marigold flowers aids in lowering symptoms caused by inflammatory bowel diseases, gastritis, acid reflux, ulcers as well as reducing menstrual cramps.
Banana Flower/blossoms
Banana flower is widely used in Indian cuisine in varied dishes and foods. The dishes are incredibly healthy and tasty. The banana blossom has the same properties as the banana - rich in iron, and vitamins - and the fibre helps in building immunity against bacterial infections, control diabetes, and improves the hemoglobin level.
Moringa Flowers
Moringa flower, commonly used in South India, is packed full of flavour and nutrients. It is perfect for cooking and can easily be combined with other ingredients. Moringa flowers are a great source of calcium and potassium and help to treat liver diseases, common colds, and coughs.
Mint flowers
When buying a bunch of mint, you may have wondered what to do with the mint flowers. They are indeed edible and have a flavour very similar to mint leaves. Mint flowers find a place in desserts, as a garnish for beverages like iced tea or lemonade, and can also be blended with other vegetables. Mint flowers are best to ease fatigue, and depression, and aid digestion, the benefits are countless.
Chamomile
Chamomile flower is one of the most used herbs in the kitchen, which is dried up to be infused into boiling water for a soothing tea. A cup of chamomile tea at bedtime can have a calming effect on the nervous system and help you sleep better. A diluted chamomile tea acts as natural digestive relief and helps to relieve digestive upset in babies. The anti-inflammatory properties of chamomile relax the smooth muscle lining of the digestive tract.
Rose
The most widely used flower in India, and is most commonly used in numerous desserts. Rosewater is a vital ingredient in your delicious sweet gulab jamun. The petals have a palpable floral sweetness and are used in jams, marmalades, sharbat, and refreshing sweet tea.
Additional Edible Flowers For Good Health
Lavender
One of the most exotic and fragrant flowers, lavender has been used in cooking since antiquity. Dried or fresh, the flowers are used in marinades, cookies, sauces, and sorbet. The flowers are also used to flavour summer drinks like cocktails, lemonade, or iced tea. It is advisable to start with a small amount and increase slowly until you achieve the desired flavour, as it can quickly become overpowering.
Honeysuckle
Vital to traditional Chinese medicine practices since antiquity, honeysuckle flowers and their extracts are consumed extensively. In culinary preparations, honeysuckle is most often used to make an herbal tea. The flower can also be used to make a flavourful syrup or to sweeten a tea. Topically, it is also applied to the skin to treat various inflammatory conditions.
Purslane
A succulent bloom with tiny, yellow flowers and thick, fleshy leaves, purslane is edible and is eaten in cooked or raw form. The leaves of this bloom are edible too. Loaded with minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants, the flowers have an omega-3 fat content. Purslane can be served in many salads and sandwiches, and may also be sauteed or steamed with other vegetables as a side dish or even added to soups
References:
- Editorial: Edible flowers: Understanding the effect of genotype, preharvest, and postharvest on quality, safety, and consumption
Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9513602/
2.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0963996919307549
