A Floral Feast: A Guide to Growing and Cooking with Edible Flowers, Foliage, Herbs and Seeds

Flowers have been used in cooking for centuries, but are often seen as exotic by professional chefs. A Floral Feast demystifies the idea of eating flowers and introduces readers to a range of blooms, leaves, flowering herbs, and edible seeds that can be grown at home and used in a new way to add flavor to dishes. It also covers harvesting, drying, and preserving methods, as well as a wide range of culinary uses and techniques.

Format: Hardback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 07 March 2024
Publisher: Pimpernel Press Ltd

Flowers have likely been incorporated into culinary practices since the earliest days of food preparation and flavoring. In ancient China, cooks were exploring the flavors of chive flowers as early as 3000 BC, while the Romans frequently incorporated floral elements into their dishes. However, today, flowers are often regarded as exotic additions reserved for professional chefs. Nonetheless, there is a growing interest among individuals in understanding the origins of their food, incorporating more plant-based ingredients into their diets, experimenting with growing their own vegetables, and following the seasons. Edible flowers remain somewhat of a mystery, yet they offer a wealth of potential in the realm of culinary exploration.

A Floral Feast takes readers on a journey to demystify the idea of eating flowers and introduces them to a diverse array of blooms, leaves, flowering herbs, and edible seeds that can be cultivated at home. These garden-grown flowers not only add a delightful floral touch to dishes but also transform them into captivating floral feasts. However, sourcing edible flowers can be challenging, which is why Dunster provides valuable guidance on how to cultivate an abundance of edible flowers to ensure a consistent and plentiful supply of chemical-free ingredients.

The book covers various harvesting, drying, and preserving methods, as well as a wide range of culinary applications and techniques. From drying hibiscus petals to creating soothing tisanes, harvesting nigella seeds for savory biscuits, or baking a lemon-scented pelargonium cake, edible flowers lend a unique and flavorful dimension to culinary creations. By learning how to grow these delicate beauties, individuals can unlock a world of culinary possibilities and create dishes that are not only visually stunning but also nourishing and delicious.

In conclusion, A Floral Feast is a captivating guide that encourages readers to embrace the world of edible flowers. It demystifies the concept, provides practical tips on cultivation, and showcases a wide range of culinary applications. With this book, individuals can elevate their culinary skills and create extraordinary floral feasts that will delight and impress their taste buds. Whether you are a seasoned chef or a culinary enthusiast, A Floral Feast is a must-have resource that will inspire you to explore the endless possibilities of incorporating flowers into your meals.

Weight: 604g
Dimension: 235 x 175 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781914902116