Rose Tea Cottage

Where tea is served at half past four




Edible flowers are the new rage in haute cuisine.
Perhaps people don't realize that most already consume many edible flowers. Broccoli, cauliflower, and artichokes are all flowers. The saffron used in Paella is the stamen from the crocus flower. And let's not forget the Capers... these tiny pungent spheres are actually the pickled flower buds of an attractive shrub (Capparis spinosa) that is common in the Mediterranean region.

A word of caution... not all flowers are edible. For example, you should not consume foxglove, sweet pea, morning glory, oleander, or azalea to name a few.
Please consult the list
here for the poisonous variety!!

Chartreuse, a classic green liqueur developed in France in the 17th century, boasts carnation petals as one of its secret ingredients.

Pick your flowers in the morning when their water content is at its highest. Then bathe the flowers gently in a salt-water bath. Immediately drop them in ice water for 1 minute and placed them on a towel to dry. For best results, use your flower petals immediately (not the stamen or the stems), or store the whole flower in a glass of water in the refrigerator.

Risotto with rose petal shavings ...bon appétit!!

Edible flowers are an elegant touch to your afternoon tea table.

"Just living is not enough...
One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.”
~ Hans Christian Anderson


♥ Have a lovely Monday ♥




40 comments:

Julie Marie said...

Hello Duchess... how beautiful... I adore the lovely little tea cakes with lavender colored flowers... Bisous... Julie Marie

Pomona said...

Don't forget borage flowers in your Pimms!

Pomona x

My Passport to Style said...

Hi Duchess, you have made me estatic with happiness, two of my biggest loves, flowers and fine dining brought together!! What a beautiful,post so cheering now that summer is almost over, thank-you,would love to dine with you anytime!!!! Sharon xx http://www.mypassporttostyle.blogspot.com

parTea lady said...

The photos are stunning. The food looks so pretty and elegant. One day I will treat myself to some organic edible flowers.

love home|life|style said...

Hello Duchess, popping by after my long absence!

those flowers are too darn pretty to eat. I can imagine serving them up to my children, they would think I am even more bonkers than normal!!

Hope you are well now. xx

debra@dustjacket said...

Hello my dear, thank you for such a beautiful start to my morning. Loved the post and all the sidebar pictures are divine. The little baby is adorable.

xoxo

My Passport to Style said...

Hi Duchess,delighted to say you have been awarded the gorgeous Bellar Pilar award, please pop over to My Passport to Style to collect it. Sharon xxoo
http://www.mypassporttostyle.blogspot.com

Eileen said...

Great post!
Every photograph is just stunningly beautiful! I'm going back for a second look!
All the best,
Eileen

beachvintage.com said...

Yes Duchess, I have eaten a few different flowers. It's great to try new things and new flavours I think. Have a great week.

Made In The South said...

The pictures in this post are so beautiful. To pretty to eat. Very informative.

Sanghi said...

Excellent colourful edible flowers duchess.. the beauty will not allow us to eat it..! he he..!:)

Marilyn Miller said...

This year in the garden I had freckled violets in the spring and during the summer edible chyrsantamums. Both have been so pretty on tea plates and sandwiches. I love edible flowers to make a beautiful presentation.

Abatevintage said...

Oh Duchess wow would I love to try some of those flowers they look divine. What a lovely post.

When you get a chance stop on over yesterdays post I awarded you with an award. Take care sweety have a wonderful evening.

Hugs,
Heidi

Chitra said...

WOw, awesome post..First time here.Pics are excellent :)

Mary said...

Sunshine, freedom, and a little flower...what a wonderful quote! Thank you so much, Duchess, for the lovely display of edible flowers and the information about them. Adding flowers to afternoon is a delightful idea. I almost always have flowers on the table, but had not thought of putting them in my cup! Everything looks delicious and elegant...so inviting! Have a wonderful day, dear Duchess! Mary

Simply Debbie said...

GREETINGS YOUR DUCHESS,
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR STOPPING BY. I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR YOU WERE IN THE HOSPITAL. I TRUST YOU ARE BACK TO NORMAL AND GATHERING YOUR BEAUTIFUL ROSES IN THE GARDEN.
I LOVE THESE BEAUTIFUL EDIBLE FLOWERS. THE COLORS BROUGHT ME SUCH JOY.
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO CRISTINA.....TO GO TO PARIS...WOW...THAT IS MY DREAM ONE DAY BUT DREAMS DON'T SEEM SO IMPORTANT NOW WHEN MY DAUGHTER IS BATTLING FOR HER LIFE....I KNOW IT WILL ALL BE OKAY.
ANGEL HUGS
STOP BY ANY TIME FOR TEA
debbie

Michela said...

You've such a charming lady, dearest Duchess! Thank you so much for all your interesting tips!
Have a lovely week!

Michele's Treasures, Teacups, and Tumbling Rose Cottage said...

Flowers make everything so much prettier...why not food? Love the pictures. ; )
~Michele

Madeline's Album said...

Got alot of interesting information from this post. Your pictures are just lovely. Have a great day.

jordiegirl said...

Hi Duchess

Have really missed popping in for a daily read but couldn't manage it whilst on holiday.

Great post as usual and fantastic pictures too.

Just read someone's comment on you being in hospital so hope you are fine now - will check back through your blogs for more info.

Jordiegirl x

My Passport to Style said...

Hi Duchess, I have tagged your gorgeous blog, for the chic, Bella Pilar award, its round at My Passport to Style, bottom right hand corner, if you would like to pop over to collect it.Sharon xx
http://www.mypassporttostyle.blogspot.com

Caterina foi passear... said...

Beautiful flowers and delicious! I loved the tips!
Duchess...you always with lovely words. Thanks and good week for you too!♥♥♥

Gaia said...

I'm not sure my boyfriend or my brothers could understand and appreciate flowers in the meal! But you know men...

Beautiful pics very bright ... I love the little cake with lavander or violets?

Thanks for stopping by my blog leaving such an adorable comment...Thanks a lot! Please come back whenever you want!

Sierra said...

Mmm, those edible flowers look yummy! I want to try them and see!

Simply Colette said...

What a great post! So informative. You taught me loads today. Those dishes look so divine and the flowers so cheery! Very interesting. Have a lovely day!

xoxo

koralee said...

Lovely indeed...I have eaten many a flower in my day...some good ...some not so good. I adore your last image so so pretty and your Hans Christian Anderson quote says it all! Much love this week!

Anonymous said...

Hi there,

I have just found you, and I am totally in awe of your blog! It is very beautiful :-)

What a fabulous post this is! I have seen recipes with pansies, and I have seen people eat the flowers from courgettes. It's very interesting to see all those others are edible!

Rose XXX

My Passport to Style said...

Hi Duchess,so pleased you love the award!Sharon xx

sarah-jane down the lane said...

Ooh what divine lttle cups brimming over with floral loveliness, you are so "cultivated" in every way! tee hee,

Love Sarah x

p.s I have added you to "my blogs" as you are such a shining example of manners and etiquette, I do hope you don't mind? x

Pavithra Elangovan said...

Wow thats interesing and love all the clicks..I love flowers.. food and flower fantastic.

blushing rose said...

AWESOME post, so delicious. We just received from a Japanese friend/client a box of flower petal cookies ... they are wonderful, delicious & colorful.
Have a lovely eve. TTFN ~ Marydon

Rose said...

How did i manage to miss this post! Anyhow im glad i found it.
Can I ask do you actually take the photos on your blog? theyre always so beautiful! I know i eat flowers as in broccoli etc, but for some reason i dont know if i would be brave enough to eat a pansy, although we have plenty in the garden, do they have much taste?

Rose

Suzy's Vintage Attic said...

I don't know where to begin, such a mouth watering post! The recipe looks wonderful and I will try it! I have eaten and used flowers in food for years. They are frequently forgotten about! I love lavender cakes & lavender tea. Nasturtiums are perfect for a sald, it gives the salad a slight peppery edge to it!
I have really enjoyed your post, the photos are beautiful as ever.
Take care
Isabelle x

Lisa Crone said...

Hi there! Thank you so much for your extremely sweet comments on A Bead A Day!! I am so glad you visited and now I am one of your happy, rosy followers! Your blog is gorgeous and I wish I had more time this morning to keep looking! Your profile is so beautifully written, you must be a writer! Have a great weekend! :)

muazzez said...

Thanks for the visit:)
armful of love:)))))

Shelby said...

Good morning and happy day :)

Loved my visit here and so enjoyed the sounds of your playlist choices.

Maggie said...

I've yet to cook with flowers myself but I certainly plan to. recently I've had some gourmet chocolates made with flowers and they were de-lish!

lovely photos as always!

and i certainly do hope you're feeling better!

Sonia said...

Oh Duchess,
You are a sweetheart. What are you doing to me. I am craving all that yummy stuff. Thank you for sharing such prettyness.
Hope you have a wonderful week.
Hugs!!
Sonia

Lee said...

Hello Duchess,
I am a Duchess also, of the Shiloh Shabby Chateau... I have guest coming in tommorrow from England for a 5 week stay. They are from London. I am new to blogging and have two blogs Le Shiloh Shabby Chateau which is a vacation rental property and Inspired Comblogulations which it my active blog for posting.

I think I just gained 5 lbs looking at your incredible edibles...oh I love sumptuous icings and melt in your mouth cakes. Your pictures are so beautiful.

I have added myself as a follower and will put you on my blog list.
I am going to prepare for my guest now... be blessed and talk with you soon.

Lee@http://inspiredcomblogulations.blogspot.com/

Prasukitchen.blogspot.com said...

Duchess you have an awesome blog .
kindly collect your awards from my blog dear !!

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