Edible flowers: our top 20 for your plate

Edible flowers turn every dish into a true flower dream. Find out which flowers are edible and how best to use them here.

Flowers are an absolute must for many gardeners. But what if the colorful plants could do more than just look beautiful? In fact, there is a whole range of flowers that not only beguile the eyes and nose, but also flatter the palate. Whether as a salad, in the main course or as a dessert - blossoms can be used universally and refine almost any dish. But many flowers are not only a great culinary addition, the colorful leaves also enhance the visual appearance of every dish. We'll tell you here which flowers are edible and which dishes they are best for.

The best edible flowers

1. Cowslip

The cowslip enchants with its fine fragrance and beautiful flowers (Primula veris) every. At the same time, the flowers of the flower with their slightly sweet taste are a real culinary delight. However, the cowslip should only be consumed in moderation, as it can contain saponins that are irritating to the stomach. You should also refrain from picking flowers in the forest: Since the cowslip is under nature protection, collecting is prohibited.

2. phlox

With its numerous flowers, the phlox (phlox) especially popular as a plant for blooming fences and walls used - but the plant doesn't look bad in the kitchen either. The intensely fragrant flowers of the herbaceous phlox (Phlox paniculata) are characterized by a strong aroma and go well with various dishes.

3. Cornflower

Radiant blue and beautiful - the Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus) is one of the most spectacular wildflowers for many. But the glowing flowers are not only a breathtaking sight in the garden, the cornflower is also a great eye-catcher as a decor for dishes. In terms of taste, on the other hand, the flowers are not that exciting: slightly spicy and slightly bitter, the cornflower is not a delicacy, but is still beautiful to look at.

4. forget Me Not

At the forget Me Not (Myosotis sylvatica) The name says it all: if you have seen the beautiful plant with its multitude of small, bright blue flowers, you will remember this sight for a long time. But this herald of spring is not only used in the garden: The small flowers are also perfect as a decoration for soups and salads. Although the plant is characterized by a low taste of its own, it definitely transforms your food into a unique feast for the eyes.

5. sage

sage (Salvia) can be found in almost every herb garden, but few know how much the plant actually has to offer hat: In fact, not only are the leaves of the plant edible, the flowers are also excellent use. Depending on Sage variety the taste of the flower can vary from bitter to sour or even slightly sweet.

6. Marigolds

The radiantly beautiful one Marigold (Calendula officinalis) is a welcome guest in many gardens. Mostly cultivated as an annual, the marigold enchants with its enormous flowering pleasure and its bright colors. In addition, the marigold is known to many as a medicinal plant that is said to help with skin injuries. You can also easily cook or eat the flowers of the marigold as tea: they have does not have a strong taste of its own, but is a great, bright eye-catcher in salads and on others Food.

7. jasmine

With its intense, sweet scent and beautiful flowers, the jasmine (Jasminum officinale) a popular plant, even if it is often too cold for him in Germany. Its great flowers are not only eye-catchers, they are also in great demand in the kitchen. Fresh or dried, the flowers are traditionally made into tea or in desserts, but the sweet flowers are also popular as lemonade or in ice cream.

8. Wild garlic

The leaves of the Wild garlic (Allium ursinum) are known to everyone as a spice. But did you know that wild garlic flowers are wonderful to eat too? Especially as a seasoning for salads, for flavoring fish dishes or as wild garlic vinegar, the flowers, which taste like onions, are a real insider tip. However, be careful when collecting in the forest: it exists Risk of confusion between wild garlic and lily of the valley.

9. Apple

Of the Apple (Malus) has always been one of the most popular types of fruit. But not only the fruits are a feast for the palate - the delicate blossoms of the tree are also ideal for consumption. With a slightly fruity and floral taste, the flowers actually enchant the senses. They are particularly popular when candied or made into jam or syrup.

10. lavender

Who that lavender offers a home, can look forward to numerous advantages of the plant: Lavender is not only a wonderful eye-catcher, but also because of its beguiling smell Fragrant plant known. At the same time, the lavender is considered to be Plant against mosquitoes and has also proven itself as a Medicinal plant proven. As if that weren't enough of a good thing, lavender flowers can also be used excellently in the kitchen: with his lavender complements particularly hearty meat dishes with its intense aroma, but is also great with sweet desserts to process. The real lavender is particularly suitable for consumption (Lavandula angustifolia) - other varieties like the Coppy lavender (Lavandula stoechas) or the Speiklavender (Lavandula latifolia) cannot convince with their taste.

11. Sunflower

the Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is probably one of the most impressive Autumn flowers at all. With an average height of one to two meters and its golden yellow flowers, the imposing flower is also a real eye-catcher. But the sunflower is not only beautiful to look at, it is also ideal for a small snack in between meals. The sunflower seeds, which are also very popular with wild animals, are particularly well-known. But the plant's petals are not only non-toxic, they are also great to use in salads. The sunflower blossoms do not score with an intense taste, but their intense color provides that certain something.

12. Roses

The Rose (pink) is considered the queen of flowers - no wonder, after all, she is not only beautiful, but often enchants our noses with a delicious scent. Even in the kitchen, roses cut a fine figure, because they not only look good, they also taste wonderfully intense. But beware: Peonies (Paeonia), Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea) and Christmas roses (Helleborus niger) share the name with the rose, but do not belong to the genus pink and are usually poisonous.

13. Nasturtiums

With its bright flowers in summery colors, the Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum) everyone's attention. But the colorful flowers not only create a good atmosphere in the garden, we can also benefit from the nasturtiums in the kitchen: With their spicy, hot taste, the flowers are perfect for salads or as a topping on bread that not only tastes good, but also looks good. Nasturtiums are also popular as a substitute for capers: boil the closed buds In a broth of vinegar, water and salt, the wrong capers can last for months keep.

14. dandelion

Many people use the dandelion (Taraxacum) is still viewed as a nuisance weed that is only too happy to appear in the garden. In reality, the dandelion is not a troublemaker at all, but can even be seen as a welcoming guest. The reason: In fact it is "Weed" edible and even very tasty. The leaves of the plant are wonderfully suitable as a salad and to prepare a soup. But the yellow flower of the dandelion is also ideal for consumption - with its sweetish color Taste it is a great decoration for cakes and tarts, but it can also be used with jelly and jam to process.

15. Daylilies

Poisonous? Are you kidding me? Are you serious when you say that. The daylily (Hemerocallis) is hardly known to us as an edible flower, but in East Asia the plant has long been a popular guest in the kitchen. There the beautiful flowers are even grown especially for consumption because their sweetish, but subtly sharp flowers are so popular. Daylily flowers are often used in all kinds of dishes: whether as a salad, rice dish or even ice cream - the daylily goes well with almost every dish.

16. chives

chives (Allium schoenoprasum) is a well-known classic among spices and can be found in most gardens. Its beautiful purple flowers are also a real eye-catcher and a real insider tip in the kitchen: They have a taste similar to young chives, but are not quite as intense and hot. The flowers not only go wonderfully with meat or in salads, they can also complement desserts.

17. zucchini

She is a real all-rounder in the bed zucchini (Cucurbita pepo var. giromontiina). Not only does it spoil us with its delicious fruits in summer, it is also a real feast for the eyes with its large yellow flowers. But the zucchini blossom is not only beautiful to look at, it is also very tasty and is considered a real delicacy. The flowers are particularly suitable as a supplement to meat and fish, but zucchini flowers with various fillings are also a real culinary delight that you shouldn't miss.

18. Borage

Was the Borage (Borago officinalis) formerly a popular aromatic plant, today it is rarely found in herb beds. That should change - the borage quickly turns out to be a true all-rounder in the bed: fast-growing and undemanding, the plant is also well suited for beginners. At the same time, borage, with its star-shaped blue flowers and hairy leaves, competes with some of the magnificent shrubs in the garden and is becoming a real eye-catcher. Last but not least, it delights with its great taste - both leaves and flowers are edible and have a fine cucumber aroma, which is why the plant is also known as cucumber herb.

19. Ice begonia

the Ice Begonia (Begonia semperflorens) is a great plant for every garden with its delicate flowers and great colors. But also its sour, almost citrus-like and very fresh taste makes the ice cream begonia shut a real sensation: it is particularly good for sweets or fruity desserts and Bowling on. When picking, however, a sure instinct is required - the name "ice begonia" comes from the property of the plant that its leaves can break as quickly as ice.

20. violet

Candied violets used to be a popular delicacy - but even today the flowers of the violet (viola) like to have a snack. Especially the flowers of the fragrant violet (Viola odorata) inspire not only with their lovely smell, but also with their mild aroma. They are not only suitable as candied sweets, but can also be combined with salads or even enjoyed on their own. Of course, the violet is also wonderfully suitable for the garden or as a balcony plant and is also a real treat for the eyes.

Edible flowers: processing and recipe ideas

Before you taste the delicious edible flowers for the first time, they must of course first be prepared. Important: only use flowers from your own garden or those that are explicitly sold for consumption. Although you can buy many types of flowers from specialist gardeners or florists, these have often been treated with pesticides and should therefore not be eaten. Shake the flowers briefly, wash them under cold water and pat them dry - this way dirt and crawling animals don't stand a chance. Then you should carefully remove the stems, pistils and clover leaves; the (often bitter) flower base can also be removed from roses.

Then there are no more limits to the imagination: whether as a salad, with meat or fish, as a dessert or marinated in oil - the flowers can be used almost anywhere, depending on the variety. Blossoms frozen in ice cubes are a great eye-catcher - food quickly becomes a minor matter.

But not only the flowers of some plants are eye-catchers on the plate. There are also quite a few edible ground cover - here you will find our top 10.