Vibrant flowers aren’t just popping up in area gardens this spring. Expect colorful blossoms scattered atop crisp salads and garnishing sweet cocktails across the Dallas dining scene. While the experts are flawlessly executing the trend, you don’t need to be a chef or a botanist to master it at home.
Those looking to add a flowery pop to their cooking routine can venture to many area nurseries and gardens. While local favorites such as North Haven Gardens, Nicholson-Hardie Nursery & Garden Center, and Walton’s Garden Center don’t specifically sell “edible flowers,” they do, in fact, carry many varieties that you can eat. Just ask one of their experts to point you in the right direction so you can start growing your own from the comforts of home.
Don’t feel like foraging through a greenhouse? Head to the salad section of Central Market for a prepacked container of edible petals. You can order them off the internet, too. Google “edible flowers,” and you’ll have fresh picks at your fingertips.
Sugar, Sugar!
It’s super easy to create candied flowers at home—we promise. Here’s how you do it:
Step 1: Whisk the whites of one egg with one teaspoon of water in a small bowl.
Step 2: Working with one flower at a time (rose petals, pansies, and violas), use tweezers to hold the flower while you brush the egg whites over the entire surface with a small paint brush.
Step 3: Sprinkle superfine sugar over each coated flower.
Step 4: Transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to crisp the flowers. Let them stand at room temperature overnight.
Step 5: Use the glistening petals to decorate a cake or other sweet treat.
