Can you ... what??

[Pixilated]

So I'm talking to a young couple about our 'blooming' teas.

For anyone who might not know, a blooming tea starts out looking like this. After the hot water hits it, you get some variant of this, depending of course on what's in the tea ball.

They were quite fascinated by the sample display. And then the young woman asked, "Can you eat the flowers after you've drunk the tea?"

Me:

I had to tell her she had me stumped; I have never been asked that before. Obviously they're not toxic, or you couldn't drink the tea. Also I know many flowers are edible (in fact, some of our teas contain petals from various flowers).

Sooo ... I guess if you really want to munch on some soggy (and by then probably fairly tasteless) greenery ... help yourself ...

[PepperElf]

i admit i'd probably have wondered too. although i'm not sure how good it would taste.

[Pixilated]

I forgot to ask my boss ... will have to do that next time I go in. If only to see her as well, LOL!

[Mikkel]

I think the taste would be close to that of used tealeaves.

[fireheart]

Admittedly, I would've asked the same question O.o

There's a thing you can buy in several supermarkets and on ThinkGeek called "Hibiscus Flowers In Syrup" or something along those lines. We have some sitting in our fridge. And no, we have not used them yet.

[Pixilated]

My curiosity must've got up and went -- I have no idea whether I'd ever have thought to ask if you could eat the flowers. Which is a shame, because possibly back when I was a reporter, I would have thought of it and asked.

Many years ago I remember covering a talk about edible flowers, and a quick internet search turned up a lengthy list of flowers that are, to my surprise, edible: calendula, carnation, English daisy, impatiens (really?? Although they're described as "very bland, nondescript" in taste), pansy, nasturtium, and so on and so on.

Mikkel, I think you're right, especially if the flowers have been used for multiple infusions! There couldn't be much taste left after that.

Fireheart, when (if?) you decide to taste your hibiscus concoction, let us know how you like it.

[KatherineB]

Many years ago I remember covering a talk about edible flowers, and a quick internet search turned up a lengthy list of flowers that are, to my surprise, edible: calendula, carnation, English daisy, impatiens (really?? Although they're described as "very bland, nondescript" in taste), pansy, nasturtium, and so on and so on.

I remember watching a wonderful UK TV series called The Supersizers Go... (there was also another called The Supersizers Eat...) where the hosts sampled the foods and ways of life of different periods. In the Roman period, plates of 'salad' were in fact large platters of flower petals including a number of those you name, so clearly they were considered a normal part of the diet, at least for the wealthy.

[Marmalady]

There's a thing you can buy in several supermarkets and on ThinkGeek called "Hibiscus Flowers In Syrup" or something along those lines. We have some sitting in our fridge. And no, we have not used them yet.

Oh, I've seen those.... am I right in thinking that you drop them in a glass, then top it up with sparkling wine?

[Seshat]

Please be really, really careful about eating flowers.

While some are edible - and even nutritious - other plants are deadly. Including some that can be found in many gardens.

Foxglove comes immediately to my mind. And the leaves of oleander have been used as poisons before.

[Pixilated]

Please be really, really careful about eating flowers.

While some are edible - and even nutritious - other plants are deadly. Including some that can be found in many gardens.

Foxglove comes immediately to my mind. And the leaves of oleander have been used as poisons before.

Excellent point, Seshat! I've seen foxglove growing in yards before (which is odd, because who in heck would actually plant stuff like that??) -- including, I'm fairly sure, my mom's backyard here.

The page I mentioned earlier that listed the edible flowers also had a link to a list of flowers that you should not eat. This is definitely a case of "do your research first."

[PepperElf]

Please be really, really careful about eating flowers.

While some are edible - and even nutritious - other plants are deadly. Including some that can be found in many gardens.

Foxglove comes immediately to my mind. And the leaves of oleander have been used as poisons before.

Heh. Kinda like my usual comments when someone says "It's good cos it's natural!" ... cos I always point out that "Hemlock is natural too, but you don't want to eat it."


Plus, when eating random flowers, be mindful of what may have been on them too. Not just dog piss etc, but also ... if any fertilizers or weed killers have been applied that aren't food-safe etc.

[PandaHat]

Heh. Kinda like my usual comments when someone says "It's good cos it's natural!" ... cos I always point out that "Hemlock is natural too, but you don't want to eat it."

Bears. Bears are natural.

[wolfie]

Excellent point, Seshat! I've seen foxglove growing in yards before (which is odd, because who in heck would actually plant stuff like that??) -- including, I'm fairly sure, my mom's backyard here.

The page I mentioned earlier that listed the edible flowers also had a link to a list of flowers that you should not eat. This is definitely a case of "do your research first."

Anyone else think about a "Three's Company" episode on reading this post, namely the one where Jack reads the title of a book "How to tell a mushroom from a toadstool, by the late Dr. so-and-so"?

[SongsOfDragons]

Bears. Bears are natural.

Arsenic's very natural too!!

Oh, and water's a chemical.

On/T, that blooming tea sounds blooming marvellous. I've seen photos of it on the Wiki page for tea (don't know if it's still there!!) and always wondered how common it was. I wonder if there's a video of it?

[Pagan]

Excellent point, Seshat! I've seen foxglove growing in yards before (which is odd, because who in heck would actually plant stuff like that??)

Because some of us think it's pretty. You can buy it in nurseries every Spring. Same reason for seeing Jimson weed in landscaping around here....and because Georgia O'Keeffe made a lot of paintings of it.