The answer is - No. Not all flowers are edible. Some can be quite dangerous to eat and it would be beneficial to learn which you can eat.. and which you cannot.
That's why we've listed some of the most popular varieties of #edibleflower below.
#edibleflowers have been considered a dietary requirement for thousands of years. Not only for their subtle taste & striking appearance, but also for the health benefits thought to be derived from specific varieties. Asian cooks were experimenting with edible flowers as far back at 3,000 B.C.E. and the use of #edibleflowers is still very popular today. Many of the high-end Restaurants use them for adding subtle flavours and also to decorate the styles of dishes found on fine dining menus.
However, it's not only the top chefs that use them. The increasing popularity of #edibleflowers has seen a huge increase in their use for Bakers. More specifically - Cake & biscuit makers.
Which Flowers Are Edible?
With regard to exactly which flowers are edible - As a rule of thumb, if you have any doubt as to whether a particular flower is edible.. Don't eat it! It's that simple.
Also, for those of us that suffer from any kind of pollen related allergy, it would probably be wise to not eat them at all.
Having said that, here are the most popular edible flowers..
Cornflower – A sweet-to-spicy clove-like flavour.
Dahlia – Flavours range from water chestnut and spicy apple to carrot.
Hibiscus – Great addition to fruit salads or to make a citrus-flavoured tea.
Honeysuckle – Enjoy the nectar fresh, or use petals make a syrup, pudding, or a tea.
Magnolia – The young flowers can be pickled or used fresh in salads.
Nasturtium – Tasting peppery, like watercress, these make a lovely salad addition.
Pansy – Mild and fresh-tasting, they’re great in a green salad or as a garnish.
Rose – Lovely in drinks, fruit dishes, jams, and jellies thanks to its delicate fragrance.
Scented Geraniums– The flavours range from citrussy to a hint of nutmeg.
Cape Jasmine – Extremely fragrant, they’re ideal for pickling, preserving, and baking.