By Joseph Steele.
Edible blooms are now no longer a food decoration alone but have turned out to be a delicious way of adding colour and flavour. Australian cuisine has not been left out in this floral love affair, with Chefs and various home cooks incorporating edible flowers throughout their daily recipes. Aside from adding visual appeal, these flowers bring thrilling new tastes from a wonderful meld of floral and herbal accents that entice the palate.Unique Australian Edible Flowers:
Nasturtiums: Bright in fire-kissed red and sunny yellow, nasturtiums give a punchy, spicy taste to food. Their leaves have the same zing so are perfect with grains, salads, and adding a kick to compound butter.
Calendula (Marigold): These possess sunny orange or yellow blooms and infuse a faintly earthy, slightly tangy flavour that is good to be used in infusion teas. Also useful as a garnish on desserts.
Violas: These can be described as little, fine and fragile in tasting notes and having a subtle grassy note with a delicate hint of wintergreen. A great addition to green salads where they will not only enhance the flavour but also give it an elegant look.
Borage: This has star-shaped blue flowers and a fresh flavour reminiscent of cucumbers. It is ideally suited to salad and cocktails but also makes a great addition to stocks and soups. For an extra summery touch, freeze borage in some ice cubes as an exciting addition to drinks.
Chive Blossoms: Pom-pom-like, purple flowers that impart an oniony taste and are often used as a garnish for dips or to add dimension to soft cheeses. Pan-fry them in some butter and garlic for a party-worthy side dish to meat and fish.
The inherently visual quality of edible flowers has truly catapulted them into the world of 'Instagrammable' food as food photographers and social media influencers alike capture the vibrancy and novelty of such dishes. Their captivating presence in culinary creations not only enhances the attractiveness of a dish but forms the focal point of artistic expression, further contributing to its popularity and justifying their status as an essential element in contemporary gastronomy.
Australian edible flowers offer a unique and exciting array of flavours, bringing a delightful addition to any kitchen. As more people embrace the concept of incorporating edible flowers within their cooking, this blooming trend looks set to continue and offers a simple way to elevate any dish.
