Edible flowers add an element of fun and creativity to mealtime, as well as strengthening a deeper connection with the natural world. Putting a bit of play back into the art of cooking, edible flowers can provide a therapeutic way to boost mental health. And many of these flowers have medicinal qualities, too!
Creativity & Play – Getting Crafty with Edible Flowers Can Boost Mental Health
When mealtime falls into a comfortable routine – making the same old rotation of meals every week – the act of cooking no longer engages the pathways of the brain associated with creativity and learning. Reconnecting with that sense of discovery, creative cooking can provide a massive boost to mental health and mindfulness.
With a variety of colors, textures, shapes and flavors, edible flowers provide the perfect addition to make cooking feel fresh and fun again. By strengthening that connection to the natural world and allowing you to express your artistic flair in a new way, adding edible flowers to dishes and drinks can create a new way to connect with food and the world around you.
But also – these flowers aren’t just pretty. Many edible flowers have wonderful medicinal benefits as well.
Most Common Edible Flowers
Pansy – Delicate in appearance, pansies are often blue or purple with a mild floral flavor. Great for baked goods (pastries, cake decorating) or salads, pansies have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Nasturtium – Bright yellow and orange, nasturtium have a peppery flavor that makes them ideal for salads or soups. Both the blossom and leaf are edible.
Dandelion – A nutritional powerhouse of edible flowers, dandelions have strong antioxidant properties. Just about every part of this plant (flower, stem, leaf and root) is edible in some way, making it a versatile ingredient to keep in the kitchen.
Borage/Starflower – With a slightly sweet flavor similar to honey, borage flowers and leaves can be added to green salads, cooked and added to soups and sauces, or used to garnish cocktails.
Rose Petals – The sweet aromatic flavor of rose petals can elevate drinks, butter, jams and jellies. Every rose variety has a slightly different depth of flavor.
Zucchini Blossoms – A favorite of home gardeners! Tender zucchini blossoms can be eaten raw or fried for a bit of crunch. Add as garnish to meals or mix into chopped salads.
Chamomile – With a sweet, earthy flavor, chamomile flowers add a dainty taste to tea infusions. Blossoms are small and white, adding color contrast to green salads, though chamomile oil is more often used for cooking. Chamomile has a calming effect and is used to reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality.
How to Eat Edible Flowers
- Salad – Edible flowers add a pop of color to green salads. Try pansies, nasturtium, chamomile and borage.
- Soup Garnish – Sprinkle a few delicate petals on top for a stunning presentation that makes soup the star of your meal. Try nasturtium and borage.
- Sandwich Garnish – A soft layer of edible flowers can add exceptional flavor. Try dandelion and fried zucchini blossom.
- Tea Infusion – Classic! Try dandelion and chamomile.
- Cocktail Garnish – Dress up your drink with borage, pansies and rose petals.
- Cake Decorating – Add natural whimsy to cakes by adding edible flowers on top. Try rose petals, nasturtium and pansies.
