Not only are flowers beautiful, but some are also edible with positive health benefits. And don’t overlook weeds! Plants like dandelions can be found growing in abundance all over the world, and while they are often ignored or discarded, they have a delicious culinary value.

Chef Suzi Gerber, an executive chef, food product developer, author, and food and diet medical research specialist, has a passion for plant-based cuisine. A firm believer and staunch advocate of a completely plant-based diet, Chef Suzi’s mission is to show others how easy it can be to make a plant-based sustainable, healthy and an absolutely delicious reality.

Chef Gerber teaches chefs, food educators, and food developers how to incorporate plant foods into standard menus and recipes without removing flavor or compromising product texture. Gerber joins us to share an exploration of eight edible flowers, how to use them, and why you’ll love them. Learn how to add a little floral flare to your recipes with these amazing edible flowers.

Borage

The leaves, stalks, and flowers are all edible and the green parts are refreshing and crisp like cucumber—raw or cooked—often added to salads. The flowers are gorgeous candied on top of cakes and tarts. Borage has incredibly high vitamin C, making it a great antioxidant, as well as a cold and flu season companion.

Dandelion

All parts of these plants are edible and the flower has a sweet flavor that can be used to create vegan honey or Southern traditional cooking has them battered and fried like fritters. The roots of this plant can be used to make tinctures for hormone balancing, and more.

Calendula

The leaves and flowers of this plant are edible, and the flower makes an excellent tea. It can even be used to add a warming yellow color to foods like rice in place of saffron. Leaves and flowers are good raw or cooked, and the bright yellow flowers add an excellent pop to green vegetable dishes with a little peppery and tangy pop. Pharmacological studies have shown that calendula has strong antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor properties, and is beneficial in the treatment of central nervous system disorders.

Wild Violet

The leaves and flowers of wild violet are edible. The brilliant purple flower is unmistakable and gorgeous, and flowers in early to mid-spring surrounded by heart-shaped leaves that last all year-round in some climates. The flowers are sweet and fragrant, and both leaves and flowers pack a hefty dose of vitamins A and C. The deep green leaves also contain a good source of iron, made more absorbable due to the vitamins A and C accompanying it.

Nasturtium

The leaves and flowers are edible. This coveted culinary flower is often found in high-end restaurants and in edible flower packs in grocery stores (when you are lucky enough to find them!) The flowers range in color and some are striped or spotted. The bold nectary and peppery flavor of the flower makes it an incredible flower to accompany fruits and vegetable dishes as a note of interest in a garden pesto, as well as a beautiful edible garnish.

Viola

Easily my favorite flower to candy for topping baked goods, the viola has intricate designs and color variations on velveteen petals. It has a good aroma and a melts-in-your-mouth quality. The petals and entire flower head together are the best treat.

Clover Flowers

Yes, that clover! The entire plant is edible from the roots to the leaves and flowers. The flowers range from white to pink to red, with red having the sweetest scent and flavor. You may recognize the scent as it is what we commonly associate with honey—clover honey! Eat raw or make your own honey-flavored tea.

Arugula Flowers

The gorgeous striped flowers that bloom from arugula are not to be overlooked. Picking these flowers can extend your arugula harvest and you’ll be glad you did, as the flowers have a concentrated arugula flavor in a slightly crunchy and art deco-looking package. They make a great snack and are perfect in a salad or on top of roasted root veggies for some added dimension.

Thank you, Chef Suzi Gerber for these great tips! Want to try some of these edible flowers? Here’s where to find them:

Where to get edible flowers:

You may be able to find edible flowers at your local grocery store. We are big fans of Gourmet Sweet Botanicals, featured in many of the pictures above (and they ship to the US and Canada). Gourmet Sweet Botanicals sells a wide range of edible flowers grown in San Diego, California, where the climate is perfect for growing these flowers.

Lizzy Sherman is an award-winning digital content writer/editor. She has been a featured guest speaker at Cal State University Northridge, Digital LA and The National Association of Audience Marketing Professionals. When she's not writing, Lizzy enjoys yoga and playing guitar. Follow her on Instagram: @zillizy