Ode to the Edible Flower

Edible flowers are perfect for hot tea, not only are they delicious but they have outstanding aromas. Fresh flowers are also a bright and crisp addition to any gloomy day when added to a clear water bottle for drinking throughout the day.

IMPORTANT NOTE 1: If you have allergies, check with your doctor before adding flowers to beverages or meals.

IMPORTANT NOTE 2: ensure you are using flowers specifically grown for culinary delights. There is no guessing when it comes to plants, many are out right deadly. So, if you jump into this endeavor, do your research and avoid believing any latest fads touted on social media. Excellent resources regarding plant safety are people or organizations rich with well established plant history and knowledge (department of agriculture for your state, poison control centers for your area, plant educational institutions, master gardeners, etc).
Testing the soil in your backyard is only the first step should you decide to grow your own delightful treats. You also have to take into consideration other potentially serious problems such as animal or insect contamination. There are many adorable critters that are known carriers of things that can make us very sick (i.e. Salmonella).
The good news is, if you do not have time to dedicate to learning about, growing, and securing your own edible flowers, there are many companies that specialize in edible flowers and special floral teas. They do all of this hard work for us!

A few of my favorite edible flowers are: peony, gardenia, dandelion, hibiscus, orchid, pansy, chrysanthemum, and magnolia.

Here are action shots of some of my favorite edible flowers and hot floral teas, this is a combination of flowers I grow, floral teas I purchase, and beautiful drinks or meals restaurants have prepared for me: