Edible flowers

Description

Edible flowers have a delicate, often subtly sweet or slightly spicy flavor, and their appearance creates an immediate visual effect due to intense colors and various petal shapes, ranging from thin and translucent to fleshy and cup-like. Nutritionally, they provide a small amount of calories, but are noteworthy for their vitamins (especially A and C), minerals, as well as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds; they positively influence the immune system and digestion, although the content of these components varies among species. In the kitchen, they are used as decoration for salads, cheeses, desserts, drinks, and ice creams, as well as for flavored syrups, butters, or vinegars; they pair well with delicate flavors and dishes that require a visual effect. It is best to store them fresh, slightly dried, in a cool place in a container with a paper towel and use them within 2–3 days; they can also be frozen in ice cubes or preserved in sugar.