Floral Art With Jennifer McGarigle: Edible Petal Guide

Yes, we know flowers are beautiful to look at...HOWEVER, did you know that many flowers are edible?

Aside from their alluring beauty and fragrance, flowers can be a flavorful ingredient to your culinary endeavors year round.  Add a blossom or a sprinkling of petals to a salad, desert or cocktail and each becomes instantly brighter and exceptionally elegant.  Just follow the Floral Art Edible Petal Guide!

Calendula - With its spicy, tangy and peppery flavor, calendula is best when sprinkled on soup, pasta or on any rice dish.

 Carnation - Whether seeped in wine or placed as a flavorful dessert garnish, the carnation will give a zesty hint of nutmeg.

Chrysanthemum - The tangy and tart chrysanthemum adds a refreshing spring flavor when scattered over a salad for seasoning or stirred into a vinaigrette.

Cornflower - With a sweet and clove-like spice, cornflower can be used as a tasty garnish to your salad or as a vibrant tint to your cake or cupcake frosting!

Day Lily - Sprinkle the day lily's petals on a spring salad or serve on a dessert tray for a sweet, melon-infused flavor. 

Gladiolus - The gladiolus' fresh and crisp flavor is the perfect edible vessel for spreads and mousse. 

 Hibiscus - Brew the hibiscus petals with an exotic tea, accenting a hint of cranberry flavor with citrus overtones.

Jasmine - Float a jasmine floret in a martini cocktail or blend into a syrup for pancakes and scones, adding a delicate and sweet flavor to your spring brunch setting!

Lavender - The aromatic flavor of lavender adds a sweet, floral flavor with a hint of citrus.  It's the perfect accent ingredient when combined with sugar for baking or infused lemonade. 

 Marigold - Sprinkle into herb butter or garnish in in champagne glass for a spicy, peppery pop.  

Nasturtium - Stir florets into a vinaigrette for a sugary, spicy zest.  

 Pansy - Garnish on fruit salads and gazpacho for a sweet to tart shock to your palate!

Rose - This sweet and aromatic flower is best when seeped in a herbal tea or dusted over a fruity sorbet.

Scented Geranium - The lemony mint flavor of the scented geranium is perfect as a margarita garnish. 

 Sunflower - Providing a mellow to mild flavor, tint cupcake frosting with the sunflower's vibrant petals. 

Violet - For a sweet and nectar-infused highlight, candy-coat the violet petals as a sugary garnish to cake and ice cream. 

To all you adventurous, floral-infused "foodies", enjoy your tasty, flowery treats!