Edible Flowers for Pizza
As mentioned in the blog post, "Flowers on pizza: crazy good eye candy, or a decadent harbinger for our twisted times?"
Would you like to put edible flowers on your own pizza? I’ve eaten them, but I’ve never procured them myself. But I have a good buddy at Alphabet, Inc. whose initials are AI and my buddy was kind enough to supply us with these tips:
My friend says, “Edible flowers can be found in the produce section of high-end grocery stores (like Whole Foods or Sprouts), farmers markets, online via specialty culinary shops (such as Gourmet Sweet Botanicals), or grown at home.
“Choose flowers that are specifically grown for consumption (pesticide-free), vibrant, and free of bugs, using only the petals for most varieties.”
Places to find flowers include (yay!) online specialty retailers like Gourmet Sweet Botanicals (mentioned above), Fresh Origins, and surprise: Amazon sell a variety of fresh, edible, and food-safe blooms.
(That is an affiliate link to a page showing you both edible flowers and seeds for growing your own edible flowers. Since I’ve used none of these products, I cannot vouch for their efficacy. But the reviews are surprisingly good.)
Grocery Stores: Specialty produce sections often carry them, especially during spring. Look at Whole Foods, Sprouts, or specialty markets.
Farmers Markets: Local growers often sell edible flowers; ask vendors for organic options.
Local Nurseries: Look for organic plant nurseries that sell plants guaranteed not to have been treated with harmful pesticides.
Your Garden: Grow your own (such as pansies, nasturtiums, or borage) to ensure they are safe.
Tips for choosing and using Edible Flowers include...
Safety First: Eat only flowers grown organically or for consumption. Never eat flowers from florists or nurseries, which are likely treated with pesticides.
Identification: Ensure you know the exact flower species, as some flowers look similar but are poisonous.
Condition: Choose fresh, brightly colored, and vibrant flowers, avoiding any that are wilted, discolored, or have bugs.
Prep: Remove pistils and stamens, eating only the petals, as the pollen can cause allergic reactions and the stamens can taste bitter.
Flavor Profiles:
Sweet/Spicy: Bachelor’s button, carnations, geraniums.
Peppery/Savory: Nasturtium, arugula, chive blossoms.
Herbal: Lavender, basil, thyme, anise hyssop.
Again, all of this is secondhand intel. I can guarantee only that I copied and pasted with minor edits. And yes, this is mainly a product of Google AI.