Top 6 Edible Flowers You Can Use in Your Plant-Based Diet

Flowers are perhaps best known for looking and smelling pretty in a home or office, but they can be used for so much more than that. For example, many people are seeing the benefits of edible flowers and beginning to add them into their diets.

Whether you get a subscription for straight from the farm flowers, or find them at your local shop, there are plenty of flowers that can not only be safely consumed, but are actually quite tasty. If you are interested in introducing flowers into your diet you may be curious about which ones are good to eat.

Just because a flower looks pretty and smells good doesn’t mean it is edible. With that in mind, this article is going to go over a few edible flowers that are sure to make a great addition to your plant-based diet.

Lavender

One great edible flower that can find a home in your vegan food diet is lavender. Both the color and scent make this a very popular option to add to dishes of all shapes and sizes.

When it comes to flavor, the lavender flower is quite bold, so it is a good idea to start small and slowly add more over time. This flower is unique as it can be used in sweet dishes like syrups and baked goods, but also on savory dishes as part of a spice rub. It can be eaten both fresh or dried, whichever you prefer.

In addition to being edible, lavender is commonly used in lotions and soaps as it has a very relaxing scent.

Hibiscus

Grown in tropical climates, the hibiscus flower can grow up to six inches in diameter and comes in many bright colors like pink, yellow, and red. While it is often grown to show off and display in a home due to its beauty, this flower is also growing popular for use in various dishes. It can be used to make sweet jams, relishes, or even used in salads.

However, the most popular way that hibiscus is consumed is in tea. Many cultures around the world consume this hibiscus tea for its medicinal properties, but it also tastes a little sour and tart, and is incredibly refreshing. The tea can be enjoyed hot, but also over ice to cool you off on a hot day.

The flower has been noted by some studies as having positive benefits like reducing blood pressure, and lowering cholesterol.

Rose

In addition to being one of the most popular flowers to give as a gift and to display in a home, roses are also finding their way into plant-based diets all over the world. Across the world, there are well over 100 different varieties of roses, and all of them can be edible.

However, make sure to only consume the petals, as things like the leaves and the stems won’t be nearly as delectable. Also, it is important to note that while you can eat the petals off of rose flowers, not all of them will taste the same.

They generally have a floral and subtle sweet taste, and if the flower you smell has a pleasant scent, there is a good chance it will taste good, too. The stronger and sweeter the fragrance, the more flavor that a rose will generally have.

There are many ways to introduce roses into your meals from adding it to salads, infusing it in beverages, added to granola, or even simply eaten raw.

Chamomile

Having been used for centuries in both cooking and medicine, chamomile is certainly deserving of a spot in this article. These tiny flowers offer a sweet, yet earthy, flavor that fits well in smoothies, desserts, and can even be infused into baked goods. They can be used fresh or dry, and it is popular for people to heat the flowers in a liquid to bring out their delicious flavor.

They are also commonly used in teas, like many of the other edible flowers on this list. There are even chamomile powders and extracts that can be used, as well. On the medicinal side of things, this flower used to help people feel less anxious, and help them sleep a little better too. As a plus, chamomile can assist in the reduction of inflammation, too.

Calendula

One of the most interesting flowers to include in your dishes is calendula. While you might think these small, bright, and cheerful flowers give off a sweet flavor, this isn’t the case. The flavors of the calendula range from spicy, to zesty, to peppery. The flavor is bold and can certainly add some kick to a meal you love.

They are often seen as a great and affordable substitute for saffron. Feel free to use them in a veggie stir fry, a salad, or even in your favorite pasta dish. Whether you want to add a little color to your dish, or introduce some uniqueness to the flavor, calendula is a wonderful option to consider. Be sure to start small, however, as the flavor can be quite intense for some.

Dandelion

That’s right, those dandelion weeds that take over your yard can actually be safely consumed. These small flowers are very nutritious and are full of antioxidants, and the entire flower can be eaten, from the stems, to the leaves, to the flower petals themselves. Some parts of the flower are bitter like the leaves, but the petals will be sweet.

When it comes to how you consume this flower, your options are nearly endless. You can eat them raw, tossed in a salad, mixed into a jelly, or even fried. They can often be used as substitutes in dishes that require some greenery, as well. Dandelion teas and wines are also popular options.

In conclusion, we hope that this article has been able to show you some of the best edible flowers to consider adding to your plant-based diet.