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Re: Edible flowers ?& Acacia & The story so far

Thanks to evryone on this.
 I will post the complete list on the TFG web site
But here is the story so far
Does anyone know any Australian natives that can be used?
Some books mention Acacia but Acacia what?
What is Agastache and how do I get one?
Some books say avoid  wisteria others say it is OK. Does anyone know?
 Edible Flowers
Flowers have been used in cookery for their beauty, flavouring and aroma.
Edible Flowers can be used as garnish (viola), in salads (tulbaghia &
chive), in teas (chamomile), candied or in deserts ( rose, violets), in
drinks and punches (borage) or sometimes even to make or flavour alcoholic
drinks (Elderberry Wine or Champagne, Rose Grappa, Parfait Amour). Some we
eat as vegetables without even realising they are flowers (Artichoke,
Broccoli, Cauliflower). Some have strong flavours, others almost no flavour
at all. Some have nice butter-lettucy textures (Day lily) many have
health-giving properties.   All add a touch of flair and celebration to a
meal.
Edible Flowers include
Sweet Williams (Dianthus barbatus).
Acacia
Agastache, especially long-tubed pink to yellow ones
Allium:  chive flowers , garlic chives
Almond blossoms
Alyssum
Sunflower (buds)
St. John's Wort
Squash or Zuccinni blossoms ( often served stuffed)
Apple blossoms
Bachelor button, Cornflower  Centaurea cyanis petals
Banana
Basil
Beans (phaseolus) (Lab Lab Bean flower is nicer than the bean!)
Begonia (tuberous begonia)
Betony
Borage
broom
Burdock
Carnation
Chamomile
Chamomile (usually made into calming tea -use 3-4 fresh flowers)
chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums
Clover
Coriander
Costmary
Cowslips
Daisy petals (Bellis perrenis)
Daylily (hemerocallis)
Dianthus (Clove Pinks once used to flavour wine )
Elderberry (sambucus)
English primroses
Feijoa.
Geraniums
Gladiolus
hawthorne
Herbs for cooking  bergamot, fennell, oregano, mints, anise hyssop etc
Hibiscus flowers
Hollyhock (Alcea) also Marshmallow
Honeysuckle (lonicera)
Hyacinth
Jasmine (sambac and officinalis) are the best varieties do not use any with
white  sap)
Johnny jump-up  
lavender  each variety will give a different flavourLavender  (Parfait
Amour is a  lavender-flavored liqueur)
lemon blossoms
lilac (syringia)
lotus
Marigolds some better than others especially potmarigold and  tagetes
varieties Mexican Tarragon very nice.
Nasturtium
Orange blossoms
Osmanthus ( used in tea)
pansy
passionflower (attractive garnish, some varieties make asoothing tea)
Peach blossoms
Peas
Peony
Plum blossoms
Robinia pseudoacacia:  the flowers can be immersed in a  mix of flour, egg
Rose petals  (Old Centifolia or modern fragrant roses eg Mr. Lincoln are best)

Rosella
Sage (salvia officinalis) also Sage Pineapple and Fruity)
Sage clary  
Snapdragon
Society Garlic (Tulbaghia)
Squash blossoms
Tansy (often used in Elizabethan times, but either my cooking is bad or
they were desperate)
Tulips
Violets

To candy flowers, whisk an egg white, then use a brush to  paint a fine
layer onto clean, dry, pesticide-free flower petals  (or whole flowers if
they're very small). Next, gently place the  petal into some superfine
sugar, and sprinkle some more superfine  sugar on top. Shake off the excess
and lay it out on waxed paper  to dry (this takes as much as eight hours).
Flower recipes
The Fragrant Garden Cucumber Salad
3 Sliced peeled and seeded ;Lebanese cucumbers
6 small sprigs of lime basil
handful Society garlic flowers1/2 chopped Spanish onion
6 lemon myrtle leaves (remove before serving)
Mix ingredients refrigerate and let stand for a few hours
dressing (to taste)
1/2 Lime juice
1/2 sweet Chilli sauce
---------------------------------
Summer Paw Paw Salad
One sliced Paw Paw
One Oakleaf Lettuce
Snow Peas
Rose petals from 2-3 large fragrant roses (Mr. Lincoln is good)
Mix ingredients chill and serve with a seeded French mustard dressing.
---------------------------------
Flowers that are definitely NOT edible include hydrangea, lupine, daffodils
rhododendron, oleander, wisteria, clematis, datura, buttercup.
---------------------------------


Michael Bailes.
Herbarist
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products, gift gallery, insanity. EMAIL: frgntgar@ozemail.com.au
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Herbarist N. ( U.S herb soc, 1930?) : One who studies all aspects of herbs,
culinary, medicinal, folklore, literature, ethnobotany, pharmacy,
cultivation & propagation,herbals, etc
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