Edible Flower Dos and Don’ts


Edible flower Dos and Don'ts


Do:

-Eat only those flowers that you can identify as safe and edible. Go by the botanical names of the flowers. Common names vary from region to region and may be misleading.
-Eat only those flowers that have been grown organically. Don't eat flowers from florists, nurseries, garden centers, or public gardens where they're grown using chemicals, and don't pick them from along busy roads.
-Eat only the petals of edible flowers--as a general rule, remove and discard the pistils and stamens before eating unless blooms are tiny, such as those of lilacs, lavender, and anise hyssop.
-Introduce flowers into your diet gradually--in small quantities and one variety at a time.

Don’t:

-Assume that a flower is edible just because it's on a plate of food-- whether in a restaurant or at a catered affair. Be especially wary of flowers on wedding cakes.
-Eat flowers if you have hay fever, asthma or allergies.
-Assume that just because a flower smells good, it is edible; most flowers are inedible or poisonous.

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