Baking with botanicals is a fun, exciting way to elevate your desserts and drinks. At The Flower Food Company, we believe that edible flowers are more than just a garnish – they can be a key ingredient to making your baking creations even more delightful, colorful, and aromatic! Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about using dried edible flowers in your baked goods and drinks. 🌸
1. What Makes an Edible Flower Safe and Special? 🌼
Before you begin baking with edible flowers, it’s essential to understand what makes a flower safe for consumption. Not all flowers are edible, and it’s important to use only those that are specifically grown for culinary use.
Here are a few tips on what makes a flower safe to eat:
- Look for Edible Flower Varieties: At The Flower Food Company, we only offer edible flowers like lavender, rose petals, and chamomile — all of which are safe for baking and drinking.
- No Pesticides: Always ensure the flowers you’re using have been grown without harmful chemicals or pesticides. Our dried flowers are sourced with this in mind to make them safe for your culinary creations.
- Avoid Common Garden Flowers: Many flowers in home gardens may look pretty, but they may not be safe to eat. Stick to flowers that are known for their edible qualities, like those we offer on our website. 🌸
2. How to Store Dried Edible Flowers 🌸
Proper storage of dried flowers ensures that they stay fresh and flavorful for your baking projects. Here’s how to keep them in the best condition:
- Store in an Airtight Container: To protect your flowers from moisture and preserve their color, store them in a sealed jar or airtight container.
- Keep Them in a Cool, Dry Place: Store your dried flowers in a cool and dark area (like a pantry or cabinet) away from direct sunlight. This will help retain their vibrant color and flavor.
- Avoid Humidity: Humidity can cause the flowers to lose their flavor or texture, so make sure the storage area is dry.
When stored correctly, your dried flowers will stay fresh and flavorful for up to six months. 🌿
3. How to Use Dried Edible Flowers in Baking and Drinks 🍰
Now comes the fun part – using those beautiful flowers in your recipes! Here are some ways to incorporate dried edible flowers into your cookies, cakes, and drinks.
In Cookies:
- Add to the Dough: When making cookie dough, fold in dried lavender buds, chamomile, or rose petals for a floral-infused treat. They add a beautiful aroma and unique flavor.
- Use as a Garnish: Press a few dried petals onto the tops of your cookies before baking. This gives your cookies a lovely touch of color and makes them even more special.
In Cakes:
- Floral-Infused Syrup: Make a simple lavender syrup or rosewater syrup to drizzle over cakes. It adds a subtle, floral flavor that pairs perfectly with your favorite cake mix.
- Decorate with Dried Petals: Use dried rose petals or lavender buds as cake decorations for a gorgeous and fragrant finishing touch.
In Drinks:
- Floral Lemonade: Add a few dried lavender buds to your lemonade mix for an elegant twist on this classic drink - purple lavender lemonade.
- Infuse Floral Teas: Add chamomile or rose petals to your hot tea for a calming and floral-flavored drink.
- Floral Iced Drinks: Use dried flowers to infuse your iced tea or water with flavor. Just add a few edible petals to the water, let it steep for a few minutes, and enjoy!
4. Flower Food Company Baking Mixes & Dried Flowers
At The Flower Food Company, we make it easy to incorporate edible flowers into your baking and drinks with our gourmet baking mixes and dried flowers. Whether you're making scones, cookies, or tea cakes, you can add dried petals from our collection to your mix for a gourmet touch. 🌸
We offer several floral-inspired baking mixes, like Lavender Shortbread Cookie Mix and Rose Petal Tea Cake Mix, which pair perfectly with our dried flowers. You can easily elevate your baking and impress your guests with minimal effort!
Ready to Start Baking with Botanicals?
Baking with botanicals is an easy way to create stunning, flavorful desserts and drinks. And with The Flower Food Company, you’ll have everything you need to get started — from gourmet baking mixes to edible flowers and helpful tips. 🌿
Start adding a touch of floral elegance to your creations today and impress your friends, family, or guests with the beauty and flavor of edible flowers! 💐