Flowers with Spicy Taste

Flowers satisfy our eyes with the gorgeous colors and lovely bloom they could offer, but can they also satisfy our taste buds?

There are edible flowers but there are few things to consider before adding them into your dish.

1. Make sure that the flower you choose to eat is the right flower. Some flower look like the other. There are many resources available in bookstore and online. Pictures and descriptions will help you pick the right flower.
2. Those who have allergic reactions to flowers must watch out for eating them may worsen the situation. This goes also to asthmatics.
3. Proper handling and preparation must also consider in achieving the taste we hope for.
4. Use them sparingly especially when you are not used to eating lovely spices. This is to avoid any possible digestive problems that may occur.
5. Do not use non-edible flowers to decorate your meal especially when you are going to serve the food to your guests. They might assume that those flowers are edible.

Arugula

This flower which is said to be found in Spain and Morocco is edible and aside from being spicy, it also tastes nutty.

Photo Courtesy of Xemenendura

Common Name:  arugula, garden rocket, rocket salad, rocket, roquette

Botanical Name: Eruca vesicaria

Family:  Brassicaceae

Genus: Eruca

Species:E. vesicaria

Pot Marigold

This plant is most commonly cultivated in Europe and known to its not palatable taste but leaves a gorgeous colour to salad. Due to its rich colour, pot marigold is also use as dye for fabrics and cosmetics.

Photo Link

Common Name: pot marigold, calendula, garden marigold, marigold, marygold

Botanical name: Calendula officinalis

Family:  Asteraceae

Tribe:    Calenduleae

Genus: Calendula

Species:C. officinalis

Carnation

Carnation is said to be native in Mediterranean Regions. Aside from the dominant pink colour which we can easily find anywhere, this flower can also be cultivated in other colours like red, white, green, and purple. Like roses, every colour symbolizes something. White for purity, light red for admiration, and dark red for strong love and affection. Symbolism may vary from one country to another. Carnation tastes like pepper.

Photo Courtesy of Nite Dan

Common Name: Carnation, Clove Pink, heavenly flower, the flower of Jove

Botanical Name: Dianthus caryophyllus

Family:  Caryophyllaceae

Genus: Dianthus

Species:D. caryophyllus

Cornflower

Aside from the stunning beauty of cornflower, it is also use as ingredient for some tea. This flower has a sweet to spicy taste.

Photo Courtesy of Maria Keays

Common Name: Cornflower, Bachelor’s button, Hurtsickle, Cyani flower, Bluebottle, Boutonniere flower,

Botanical Name:Centaurea cyanus

Family:  Asteraceae

Tribe:    Cynareae

Genus: Centaurea

Species:C. cyanus

Marigold

This type of flower has a spicy to bitter taste. It may also appear in yellow blooms.

Photo Courtesy of quinn.anya

Common Name: Marigold

Botanial Name; Tagetes tenuifolia

Family:  Asteraceae

Tribe:    Tageteae

Genus: Tagetes

Species:T. Tenuifolia

Nasturium

Photo Courtesy of pizzodevo

Common Name: nasturtium, climbing nasturtium, garden nasturtium, Indian cress, lark's heel, monk cress

Botanical Name: Tropaeolum majus

Family:  Tropaeolaceae

Genus: Tropaeolum

Species:T. majus

These are just few of edible flowers, I am sure there are more out there. But again, be careful of what you choose to eat.

By: lencilicious / reallady (Triond)