How to Make an Edible Flower Arrangement
With the ever-increasing popularity of edible arrangements of fruit and candy made to resembles flowers, you have likely at some point considered picking up such an edible arrangement to give as a gift or serve as a centerpiece. Companies that sell these types of arrangements want you to believe that they are affordable and practical when in reality, you could get talked into spending $100 or more, and the fruit is unlikely to remain edible for long. Why not create your very own edible arrangements using edible flowers for a fraction of the cost? Follow these simple steps to make an edible flower arrangement.
First: Select your edible flowers
You may not realize it, but there are dozens of edible flowers readily available from the natural food store, the supermarket or even your own back yard. Not only that, but each has its own distinctive flavor; choose from spicy and savory blooms to crisp lettuce-like flowers to sweet buds. Blossoms such as nasturtiums, radish flowers and calendula fall under the spicy category while pansies, violets, roses and hibiscus are sweet. Many guides to edible flowers and their corresponding flavors are available online; print one out, and take it with you to the store. Note that for the more exotic flowers like tulips and lilies, only some varieties are edible.
Second: Create your arrangement
Once you have selected your flowers and ensured that they are clean, fresh and safe to eat, start working on the arrangement. If you wish to give an arrangement as a gift, use flowers with complementary flavors to ensure a tasteful bouquet. Include a note mentioning that the arrangement is edible as well as some ideas for consuming it. You might include a bottle of dessert wine and an edible-flower dessert recipe with a bouquet of sweet flowers. If you wish to use an arrangement as a centerpiece for a dinner party, try making it serve double-duty as a centerpiece and a course. Make a bouquet of spicy or vegetable-like flowers, display it with a selection of salad dressings or dips, and invite your guests to eat the bouquet crudite-style.