Are all flowers safe to eat?
There are many edible flowers that are delicious and can be used in cooking, baking, ice cream, desserts, cold drinks and infusions. However, not all the flowers are safe to eat and some of them may be poisonous.
What flowers are edible?
Hibiscus flowers
Hibiscus is a large plant with colourful flowers, native to Africa and South Asia. It has been used for centuries as an ornamental garden plant and for medicinal purposes. Only a few hibiscus species have edible flowers, and people use them to make extracts, teas, and supplements.
Hibiscus flowers are mostly used to make a refreshing, red-coloured tea. To do so, just put a piece or two of dried hibiscus flowers into a cup of boiling water.
Other than that, hibiscus flowers can also be used for jams, desserts, relishes, and drinks.
The taste of hibiscus is lightly sweet and similar to cranberry and pomegranate.
Hibiscus contains a huge amount of antioxidants and is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. It can help you lower blood pressure, stimulate diuretic effects, reduce high cholesterol, boost immunity and help with weight management.
Lavender flowers
Lavender is a plant in the mint family native to the Mediterranean and Middle East regions. It's mostly known for its beautiful, strong floral scent and calming properties.
Lavender flowers are also a great cooking ingredient. They can be used for both sweet and savoury dishes, giving them a herby, floral flavour and aroma. It makes a perfect addition to cakes, cookies, muffins, and ice cream and can be used to make an herbal tea.
Lavender was used as a holy herb in ancient times, and it is still best known today for its medicinal and therapeutic benefits.
Including Lavender in your diet may help improve your sleep quality, relieve stress, improve mood and ease anxiety.
Rose petals
Dried rose petals can be used for decoration or in many sweet and savoury recipes. You can use them to infuse teas, syrups and juices.
These rose petals have a mild, sweet, and floral taste, which is very similar to their delicate aroma. This flower is perfect if you want to add a floral note to recipes or teas. You can also give cakes and other dishes the wow factor by using rose petals as a decoration or garnish.
Rose petals contain polyphenols and antioxidants that work to protect your body from free radicals and cell damage. The polyphenols have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and cognitive diseases. In addition, they have calming and stress-relieving properties.
Passionflower
Passionflower plant is a climbing vine with white and purple flowers. The plant is native to America.
Passionflower has a mild flavour with a slight grassy earthiness. It can be used to make herbal infusions or added to various dishes as flavouring.
However, its most well-known use is for its alternative medicinal properties. Passionflower is believed to have calming properties that can help defeat anxiety, reduce stress, improve mood, and even help with sleep and insomnia.
To brew an herbal tea, add 1-2 tsp to boiling water. Include some honey for some added sweetness.
Marigold flowers
Marigold flowers come from the plant native to North and South America.
The flowers' flavour is bitter and slightly spicy, with hints of citrus, mint, and tarragon. Marigold flowers have a pungent, musky aroma.
Marigold flowers are also popular in cooking for their colour, as their bright leaves can add a splash of colour to many dishes and drinks.
Marigold flowers contain active ingredients that have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, and hydrating properties. They help boost the immune system, lower fever, reduce inflammation and help with digestive issues.
Marigold is probably best known for its use in teas. For a sweet and relaxing tea, add 1 tbsp of dried flowers to boiled water before letting it steep.
What happens when you eat a non-edible flower?
Eating the poisonous flower can cause vomiting, skin rash, diarrhoea and even, in some extreme cases, convulsions.
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