Edible Flowers

Beautiful flowers can look great in a vase decorating the home, but they can also be a very good source of nutrients for you and your family. Here we tell you how edible flowers are used today and how you can make very eye-catching dishes with them.   Humans have been eating flowers for thousands of years, and it is true that in recent decades they have stopped being seen as food and have become part of decoration. Still, some chefs from various parts of the world have taken it upon themselves to study and analyze various plants to determine which flowers are edible and what kind of flavor they can add to food. Nasturtiums are the largest, with various colors, reds, yellows, oranges. The petals have a more neutral flavor, but the base concentrates an intense flavor with bitter notes and a spicy finish. Begonias, more humble, have a strong lemon flavor, and pansies taste like very pleasant green vegetables, perhaps reminiscent of peas. Carnations contribute little flavor but a lot of aroma and intense color. The possibilities of cooking with flower petals are endless; we are very familiar with hibiscus and marigold, but there are many more that can enrich your dishes at home. In fact, if you are watching your figure or are on a diet, flowers are ingredients with very particular, colorful flavors that do not add any calories at all. Restaurants in Mexico such as Estación and Raíz in the State of Mexico, Biko, Pujol, and Dulce Patria in Mexico City, along with several others across the country, exploit the subtleties and strengths of flowers to make them the stars of their dishes. Of course, you don't have to be a five-star chef to use them; just go to the chinampas of Xochimilco and ask for recommendations on seasonal flowers. Once in your kitchen, you can experiment with new salads, soups, and sides for main dishes that you would never have imagined. How about some caramelized rose petals? Here’s a list of other edible flowers so you know what products you can work with: - Chamomile - Chrysanthemum - Dandelion - Jasmine - Sunflower - Violet - Pansy   Edible Flower Recipes   Chicken in Rose Petal Sauce  Discover this recipe here. Rose Jam  Try this delight here. Jasmine Martini  Discover the recipe here.   What recipes do you know with edible flowers?