Edible Flowers are this Summers Food Trend

Summer edible flowers are the food trend you need to see! Summer has definitely arrived, and we’re looking at the top, quirky edible flowers for the season!

Do you want an edible flower to shock your guests this summer? You might be thinking you’ve used Violas and Pansies to death (but really – is that even possible!?), and want to give something new a go. With the release of our bold new Day Lily flowers, we thought we’d line up our quirkiest edible flowers to use this summer, along with some ideas for how you can use them!,/p>

We’ve got all the edible  flowers that will be sure to make an impact on your guests…

Day Lily Flowers

Day Lily edible flowers are also known as Hemerocallis. The clue is in the name with the Daylilies – they only open for one day! It is common for edible flowers to have very muted flavours, although the Day Lily flower is different. These larger flowers are crisp and sweet. As well as packing a tasty flavour, they are also nutritious, with their nectar and pollen providing protein and carbohydrates. Traditionally, Daylilies have been sold for eating throughout Asia.

But how do you use these edible flowers? Day Lily flowers are best used on savoury dishes, but can be used on sweet dishes too. The flowers are best used unopened. Chefs tend to fry, steam or boil the flowers, treating them like green beans. Moreover, when frying the flowers, they are often enjoyed in a tempura batter. They may be battered and fried empty, or they can be stuffed and fried. Alternatively, the petals can be sliced fresh and tossed through an Asian stir fry. If you need any stir fry inspiration, check out our feature Pad Pak Boong recipe here, using our all-new Morning Glory Thai herb.

If you’ve been tempted to give them a go, you can shop Day Lily edible flowers here.

Fuchsia

Fuchsia are quirky flowers and are often the product that surprises our customers! They are one of our edible flowers you might have seen before, but didn’t even know was edible. At Nurtured in Norfolk, we grow a range of coloured edible Fuchsia flowers. It is important to note that not all Fuchsias are edible, but we grow a specific variety which are totally food safe! You can shop pink, purple and white edible Fuchsias. The flowers are showstoppers – with pendulous bell-shaped blooms. The way the blooms hang and flare earns them the popular nickname, Ladies Eardrop. These edible flowers are mildly sweet and tend to be used as a garnish.

What can you garnish with Fuchsia flowers? You might be looking at these blooms thinking yes, they look nice, but really how would I use them?! Generally, these quirky flowers are used to garnish sweet dishes and drinks! Their vibrant colours make them perfect summer decorations. For example, they can be used to dress summer cocktails, or frozen into ice cubes. Fuchsia’s can also be set into jelly. Of course, if you prefer to place your quirky edible flowers on cakes and desserts, Fuchsias work perfectly well for this too! You can use Fuchsia flowers fresh, or they can be crystallised. Head to our blog, ‘How to Crystallise Edible Flowers‘, to follow a simple 4 step process for crystallising your flowers.

Try Fuchsia edible flowers for yourself and be sure to share photos of how you’ve used them.

Parrot Impatiens

Ask anyone at Nurtured in Norfolk for ‘quirky’, and Parrot Impatiens will definitely come to mind! These vibrant red flowers are also called Congo Cockatoos, and its very easy to see why! Their shape resembles the Cockatoo bird. Parrot Impatiens are very refreshing and have a succulent-like texture, with a slightly more bitter flavour. Available June – October, these really are the perfect summer edible flowers!

What would you garnish with Parrot Impatiens? The Congo Cockatoo flowers have been eaten as vegetables, although they are most favoured as a garnish. Like many of our other edible flowers, these can be used to decorate sweet and savoury dishes. Although, they are most popular as drink garnishes! The ‘stem’ of the flower can be hung over the rim of a glass for a totally food safe, striking garnish. These work best as drinks garnishes as the succulent texture of the Parrot Impatiens is not always pleasant to eat.

Jazz up your drinks this summer and shop Parrot Impatiens flowers online here.

Mimulus

Another quirky flower are our Monkey flowers! Known by the name Mimulus, these edible flowers are totally unique! This means each bloom is totally different! Each petal is different, with either solid colours, or delicate spots. As a result, every site visitor at Nurtured in Norfolk wants to give Mimulus a go! The flowers themselves have a very subtle flavour, with a lettuce-like refreshing touch to start. Following this, they then present a more bitter flavour, although this is not unpleasant.

How do you use Mimulus flowers? Mimulus edible flowers can be eaten raw, but they can also be heat treated. Try steeping a handful of the flowers in boiling water to make a Mimulus flower tea. Although, more commonly, Monkey flowers are used on savoury dishes. For example, they can be tossed through salads to add bitter and delicate flavours. Why not try them chopped and sprinkled on soft cheese crackers too. Alternatively, they can be used in a way we love to see our summer edible flowers – on cakes! Pop a few of these flowers on large celebration cakes for a dainty yet striking garnish.

Shop Mimulus edible flowers here.

Fire Feathers

Last (but not least!), Fire Feathers are a wonderful summer edible flower. The clue is in the name with these too – they are going to be fiery! But fear not, their flavour isn’t fiery, just their aesthetic! It is easy to see how these flame-shaped Celosia flowers got their name. Available in vibrant reds and oranges, yellows and pinks, Fire Feathers are sure to be a flower your guests haven’t seen yet! The texture of the flowers is somewhat woody, although their flavour has been compared to spinach.

How do you use these flame shaped flowers? Celosia flowers can be used for sweet and savoury dishes. The flowers can be used atop stews and soups to add texture and colour. As well as to decorate summer desserts. Why not liven up your summer fruit salad with a few Fire Feathers. Alternatively, the bigger flowers can be used as totally food-safe edible cocktail stirrers. Now we’re sure your guests won’t have seen that before!

Get your summer celebrations off to a flamin’ good start, and order your Fire Feather flowers here.

If you’ve used any of these summer edible flowers, we want to see! Tag us on Facebook and Instagram, or drop us an email with photos, videos, or recipe ideas for how you’ve used these summer blooms!

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