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The cuisine side of flowers

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CuisineFlowerA
Flowers charm with their vibrant colours and beautiful shapes.  However, apart from their aesthetic qualities,
flowers have a host of uses which often go unnoticed. One of these is their
potential to delight the palate.   The use of flowers as a garnish or decorative
element for baking and cooking has been around for a long time and is prevalent
in different cultures around the globe. It is currently a hot trend that   is continuously
evolving and giving chefs the chance to innovate.
Flowers come in different varieties and possess very different
qualities that vary from species to species. Qualities such as flavour colour
and texture. These qualities ultimately define the best use of each flower. The
use of flowers in culinary applications has been seen in various renowned cuisines
from around the world, including floral-infused beverages, teas and desserts.
CuisineFlowerC
The use of flowers as garnishes and ingredients in restaurant
and home cuisine has become tremendously popular in Ghana. A recognizable sign
of this is the availability of these edible flowers among the fresh herbs in
many grocery stores. There are over 250 known species of edible flowers around
the world, all providing a unique opportunity to create and add new flavors to
even the most traditional recipes.
Flowers not only add artistic flair to dishes, they also add
valuable nutrients and healing properties such as:
·        
Vitamins A, B, C and
E, especially nasturtiums and rosesA variety of minerals
that are fundamental for the optimal functioning of our organs, and at the same
time many of these flowers also contain small quantities of amino acids,
proteins and starches
·        
The flower’s mucilage
– a type of soluble fiber found in some plants – helps reduce the levels of bad
cholesterol and cleanse the body from the inside out
·        
Violets and lavender
are recommended for combating colds and throat infections due to their
antibacterial properties. These two species are also known for their capacity
to reduce headaches and act as a natural relaxant.
CuisineFlowerB
Cooking with flowers can be very simple. When cultivating your
own flowers at home, the flowers should not be harvested until right before
they are about to be served; this way they are completely fresh. If bought,
they should be stored in the refrigerator inside a hermetic container and on
top of wet paper. It is necessary to keep in mind that for some floral species
used in the kitchen, one should take the time to remove the flower’s stamen and
base while washing them since at times these parts of the flower can add a sour
flavor.

Flowers can be used in the kitchen in many ways. They may be
added to a fresh garden salad, or infused in water and then used as base for
sauces and pastries. Also, the aroma of many flowers can be incorporated into
any pastry by using sugar that has been previously infused with the aroma of
particular flowers. According to food and garden experts picking the right
flower for cooking and baking takes more than just letting your nose lead the
way. It is important when choosing, to be familiar with the flowers to
ascertain their edibility.

Multiple award-winning entertainment journalist and founding editor at Ghanafuo.com – I have spent over a decade covering entertainment, gossips and lifestyle around the world. Follow me on my official Twitter, Facebook and Instagram pages: @davidmawuli

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