Blooming Bites
I was well down my path of floral fascination before I really took time to stop and eat the flowers. Diving in to learn more came about after I was adding dried flowers into my charcuterie spreads and not really thinking that anyone would eat them. Luckily no one ever did. First, they would have tasted awful. Second, they would have been the worst kind of crunchy. Third, most would not be very good for your health.
I started to fall under the edible floral spell in more herbaceous applications. My partner, Chad, made the most incredible lavender crème brulee. The mix of the aroma and the smooth custardy sweetness was extraordinary. We would chat about other interpretations of dried flowers we could try. Marigolds. Rose petals. Jasmine. Two favorite applications are featured on my Stop and Eat the Flowers table. Lavender on chocolate hummus and dried marigolds on any savory hummus. They add just enough flavor enhancement to give an unexpected twist to the tastebuds.
Not too long after that, I began to find sources online to order a variety of fresh edible flowers. One of my favorite businesses to visit is Gourmet Sweet Botanicals. I found them on Etsy. From pansies and nasturtium to tiny orchids and flowering herbs, their offering is diverse and colorful. What I love about these little blooms is that they make a perfect finishing touch to a planned bite. For example, I like to take a cracker or crostini, add some meat or cheese, a cornichon and then top it off with a beautiful bittersweet flower. It might be a tiny bit bitter or maybe a little sweet, but I find that they enhance the bite and make the moment surprising and memorable.
Another way that I use these little lovelies is in a great summer cocktail like a Spanish Gin Tonic.
Not only do herbaceous bits like flowering rosemary and thyme add an aromatic flair, but the recipe asks for pink peppercorns, too. The mix of those flavors with lemon and a sweet pop of simple syrup (per the recipe) makes for a refreshing mix of a beverage and a walk through a Warmhouse. You should give it a go!
Flowers and plants are incredible. They enhance so many of our senses and they captivate our minds. They remind us to be romantic. We wander through paths and parks to enjoy their beauty and smell. And sometimes, in my opinion, we need to just stop and eat them. Bloom Appetit!
