Eden Edible Flower Guide

Flowers are a great way to add fragrance and colour to our homes and there is nothing more romantic than a bunch of red roses, however, that doesn’t even scratch the surface of what flowers can be used for. There are literally hundreds of species of edible flowers that grow across the planet, many of which are native to Europe  and can be found growing throughout the British isles. These colourful edible delights can be added to salads marinades and even deserts and many offer our bodies, health benefits that are not to be passed up on.

Our top 7 edible flowers:

Apple and Orange Blossoms - The blossom of both the apple and orange tree are in fact edible and are often combined with asparagus and other seasonal produce in top tier restaurants

Chamomile - Many of you will have drank chamomile tea in the past, it has a relaxing effect on the body and known to aid people suffering from insomnia. Chamomile flowers are also edible in their raw form and can offer our body's anti inflammatory and wound healing properties

Chrysanthemum - Not only do these flowers look great they also pack and health punch, packed full of antioxidants and minerals its thought they may be able to even ward of some types of cancer.

Dianthus - Overflowing with minerals, including potassium Dianthus makes a wonderful addition to your salad bowl and adds a sweet taste and vibrant colour to the table.

Echinacea - Known for its powerful antiviral properties, Echinacea has been used for thousands of years to promote healing and treat wounds, the flowers of the Echinacea plant can be eaten in their raw form or cooked.

Elder-flower - One of my favourite summertime drinks is made from these flowers and it is known to help increase metabolism. I regularly add elderflowers to salads and marinades to add that floral flavour punch.

Hibiscus - Perhaps the most widely researched out of all the edible flowers, hibiscus contains antioxidants, anthocyanins and is known to help lower blood pressure and cholesterol.

How do I get my hands on these flowers?

As mentioned before, many of these flowers do grow natively in the UK, however many will only be found through mid to late summer, one great tip is to stock up in these months and freeze your excess flowers in ice cube trays for use all year round.

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