Bellefonte Flower Shops

Bellefonte PA News

Aug 15, 2016

The Avid Gardener: Yes, You Can Eat Those Flowers

When I was operating a bed-and-breakfast in Bellefonte, I would slip a few orange and yellow nasturtium or lavender violet petals from my garden onto plates as garnishes, adding some pizzazz to our early-morning fare. Guests were often surprised to know that these flowers could be eaten. Some would cautiously sample, while others were very wary. Some dove right in. I am certainly not the first to use flowers this way. Traditionally, according to a North Carolina State University Extension site, many types of cooking, including European, Asian, East Indian, Victorian English, Middle Eastern and even Early American used them as food. Since the 1980s there has been renewed interest in flowers for use in haute cuisine, due to their fragrance, color and taste. Not only that, but edible flowers actually grow not just on annuals, but also on some biennials, perennials, trees, shrubs and vines. However, before beginning any discussion of possible flowers, there are some important warnings to keep in mind. First, be sure to identify flowers by genus and species to confirm that they ... (State College News)