Edible Flowers: More Than Meets the Eye

Many people find the idea of eating the natural foods of the Earth attractive, but most fail to consider the prospect of enjoying edible flowers. Not all flowers are particularly good for eating, so it is of the utmost importance to select the best ones. The best approach is to explore a few of the most popular edible flowers and compare them to locally available ones.

Carnations are among the most commonly available edible flowers and are popular because of their versatile flavor. Common carnation petals are sweet and are generally used as an ingredient in desserts or wine. Another popular edible flower is the dandelion. It is readily available in most areas, much to the chagrin of homeowners, and is best served steamed or boiled. There are also many recipes for dandelion wine available. Finally, the flowers from a honeysuckle tree taste perfect without any preparation at all. As the name implies, they taste like honey.

Flowers are an excellent source of nutrients and add variety to otherwise ordinary diets. Finding the right flowers depends upon location and personal tastes. Examining the flowers already growing within a given area quickly reveals a whole new natural resource waiting for cooks to explore.