Organic Lemongrass

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.

Did you know you can make your meal happier, by using organic food? The 'Happier Meal’ is a showcase of the nutritional benefits of organic food. The meal, launched by the The Soil Association explores the science of gut health and the health benefits of shifting to organic whole food ingredients. It aims to inspire people to consider changing an product in every meal to organic. Organic produce have better nutritional profile Multiple studies have proved that due to the production methods the nutritional profile of organic food is different than the conventional non-organic food. Organic vegetables are higher in antioxidants such as polyphenols because they are not sprayed with fertilisers and pesticides. So they can help boost your immunity in a more effective way. The Happier Meal was created in collaboration with nutritionists, farmers and cooking experts. This includes celebrity eco-chef Tom Hunt, award-winning nutritionist Michaella Mazzoni and organic farmer Ben Andrews. The guide for Happier Meal is available online and includes both the beef and the vegan burger recipe. If you want to create your own Happier Meal at home just follow the recipe using all the organic ingredients. The happier versions of the burgers can feature fermented foods, like kimchi and be enjoyed paired with fermented drinks like kombucha, which support a healthy gut. Nutritionist Michaella Mazzoni said: "Choosing organic isn't just about what's on your plate; it's about overall wellbeing. There are holistic benefits of choosing organic that extend beyond the plate and simply swapping one or two elements of a dish to organic can make a world of difference.” Fermented foods have been known for centuries Kombucha which is a fermented tea, has been consumed in Asia for thousands of years. It is brewed from green tea or black tea which are full of antioxidants. When fermented it becomes a fizzy soft drink that is naturally high in healthy probiotics and live cultures bacteria that support the gut health and helps digestion. If you make kombucha from organic tea, it will have 69% more antioxidants, and it is free from pesticides or fertilisers which are harmful for health. Michaela Mazzoni said: "Kombucha is not only delicious, but it is also low in sugar and brimming with probiotics and antioxidants. It contributes to overall wellbeing so we're loving it for its natural goodness!"

Hibiscus flowers Hibiscus is a small tree with beautiful, large, colourful flowers. It is not known where hibiscus is from, but it grows naturally in Africa and South Asia. There are about 300 species in the hibiscus family, but only a few of them have edible flowers. Most of them are decorative, ornamental plants you can grow in the garden in warmer climates. The edible flowers of hibiscus have been used for centuries for decoration and medicinal purposes. You probably know hibiscus tea, right? This rose-coloured infusion is made with hibiscus tea. What are dried hibiscus flowers used for? The organic dried hibiscus flowers are used to make teas, powders, extracts and supplements and in cooking and baking, especially jams, relishes, dressings and salads. What is the flavour of hibiscus flowers? The taste of hibiscus flowers is similar to cranberry and pomegranate. It is sweet and slightly earthy. What are the health benefits of hibiscus flowers? Hibiscus contains many beneficial compounds for health. It is rich in vitamins A, B and C. It contains flavonoids, phenolic acids, and organic acids, which act as antioxidants. Hibiscus can help lower blood pressure, stimulate diuretic effects, and reduce high cholesterol. It may help promote weight loss and support heart and liver health. Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, it can also help fight infections by reducing the growth of bacteria and boosting your immunity system. How to make hibiscus tea? Just put a couple of dried hibiscus flowers into a cup with boiling water (100°C). Infuse for a few minutes (5-10 minutes) and enjoy a delicious, relaxing drink.