Last Updated on December 15, 2022 by Derek
What Flowers Are Edible for People?
There are so many edible flowers that come in different flavors. Some of these varieties like the lavender have leaves that are also edible. With the different flowers, you will get different flavors. Some are wildly bitter, some are sweet, and some are just strong with herbal flavor. Some of these edible flowers include:
Hibiscus
Hibiscus is an edible flower that you can use as a garnish or in salads. Their petals are slightly acidic and of numerous health benefits. You will find this flower in subtropical climates during mid or late-summer.
Some people eat the Hibiscus flowers while raw or directly from the plant while others would prefer to mix with other dishes. They are also useful for making herbal tea, jams, and relishes.
Lavender
These flowers bloom in early summer or late spring. The lavender tree, however, needs pruning after the first flowering so that it can bloom in the next season.
Lavender is another edible flower that you can eat. It is usually used for ornamental and decoration purposes but is also edible. It is not only the flowers that are edible but you can eat the leaves as well. The lavender flavor is slightly bitter, like that or ginger but more of herbal, and with few calories in them. They serve myriads of purposes among them being used in salads, teas, cocktails, and lambs.
Rose flowers
Most of the rose flowers are edible. Most are also perennials or deciduous and come back to bloom year after year. Among the roses that you can eat include the Lady of Shallot, R.Moyesii, and Wild Roses among others. Their petals are sweet and great for making salads, desserts, or ice creams.
Other edible flowers include the Thymus, Lavandula, Dianthus, Alliums, Marigolds, Honeysuckle, Daylilies, Dandelion, Squash blossom, and Mint flowers among many others.
How Do You Know if a Flower is Edible?
You can know edible flowers from their tastes. Flowers that are not edible may lead to some unfavorable reactions in your mouth or stomach. Some have a soapy taste or even foam, and some may be bitter and you cannot even tolerate their taste. Edible flowers are sweet, some can be bitter or with a strong flavor that with a pleasant taste.
Are Jasmine Flowers Edible?
The only Jasmine flower that is edible is the Jasmine Officinale. Their fragrant colors with flavorful and aromatic taste are good for making teas, and for spicing other dishes such as chicken, or fries. You can also eat the petals of these flowers while raw.
List of Edible Flowers with Pictures
There are hundreds of flowers that are edible. Some common ones that you can find in different regions including the ones already mentioned with their pictures below:
- Borage or starflower
- Nasturtium
- Gladiolus
- Lilacs
- Floss flower
- Petunia Hybrida
- Geranium
- Fuchsia
- Marigold
- Dandelion
- Hibiscus
Where to Buy Edible Flowers
You can find and buy edible flowers in different grocery stores around the world. You can also buy them from online vendors such as Sainsbury’s and Gourmet Sweet Botanicals among other places. You may need to find sellers near you if you want them fresh and urgently. The availability of edible flowers also depends on the variety and the blooming time.
Edible Flowers for Cocktails
Edible flowers are used in different dishes. Some are good for desserts, some for salads, and some for teas. They are also used on cocktails to add aromatic flavors and different tastes. Some of the edible flowers used for cocktails include:
Flower name | Scientific name | Description |
Pansies | Viola wittrockiana | These flowers year after year just after the frost. That is in fall and also in spring. Their flavors are almost that of lettuce and a little spicy. |
Marigolds | Tagetes erecta | They bloom in late spring and also in fall. They also have a mild citrusy flavor and make a good addition to cocktails. |
Hibiscus | Hibiscus rosa-sienesis | Is one of the common edible flowers around the world. They come with the health benefits of boosting the immune system and tastes like pomegranate or cranberry. |
Peonies | Peonia lactiflora | These flowers bloom between April and June. They are useful in cocktails due to their flavor that is similar to that of strawberry or peach. |
Sweet alyssum | Lobularia maritima | This flower blooms in the spring and have been regarded due to their pungent flavor. They taste sweet and more like kale and that is the reason they are used in cocktails. |
Tulips | Tulipa gesneriana | These flowers bloom in the spring, that is from March to April. They are useful in cocktails because of their flavor and taste. Their petals and bulbs are edible but the petals taste like cucumbers. |
Calendula | Calendula officinalis | Calendula blooms from May to early fall. They can also come back year after year. They have a mild sweet vegetable flavor and are useful in being used in cocktails among other ways. |
DayliliesHemerocallis fulvaThese are common flowers that are available around the world. They have different flower colors and bloom from June through July. They are useful in cocktails due to their taste that is similar to that of asparagus or green peas. | ||
Honeysuckle | Lonicera periclymenum | most varieties of the honeysuckle flower bloom in the spring and some will bloom again year after year. Their florals are filled with sweet nectar that brings out the sweet and honey-like taste. |
Edible Flowers for cocktails infographic
Best Edible Flowers
Some of the best edible flowers include the zucchini, hibiscus, lavender, pansy, carnation, chrysanthemum, sunflower, tulips, nasturtium, squash blossoms, chamomile, purslane, sage flowers, and roses. Edible flowers are so many and have varying tastes and flavors.
What is the Most Common Edible Flower?
Nasturtium is the most common edible flower. What makes it popular is the fact that it has all parts edible from the leaves to the flowers, including the stems, and even the seed pods. The flowers have a peppery flavor and are good for use with different dishes. Other common edible flowers that are popular include the hibiscus, roses, marigolds, and daylilies.