Vriksha nursery

Vriksha nursery is a second generation nursery based in Mumbai where we strive to change the face of urban gardening in India with over 25,000 gardens executed in Maharashtra/Goa/Gujarat. We have a team of dedicated professionals who will leave no stone unturned to give you gardens of the utmost quality. Vriksha nursery has been synonymous with innovation in our field be it set landscaping(over 15000 teleserials/movies/adfilms), temporary landscapes (over 2500 exhibitions and weddings),ikebana flower arrangements, urban farming, rooftop gardens,living walls etc.
contact us :9820704069 Email: shaan_lalwani@hotmail.com
or better still
Drop by at: 1 ganga apts ,
irla railway soc(2nd last bungalow lane opp papilon hotel )
mumbai 400056.
WHY GO GREEN...WHEN NATURE HAS SO MANY COLOURS TO OFFER!

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Flower Power: Edible Flowers At The Nursery!!

With the influx of food shows all over television you watch chefs from all over the world cooking dishes which are impossible to pronounce with ingredients that sometimes can only be described as absurd.While its hard to watch some of the Indian chefs make a complete mess of Italian /french cooking at times ...(there are exceptions) there are loads of chefs who literally make you drool.On one of these shows i happen to watch the contestant cooked with flowers...i had to try this i taught ...it looked so fresh tasty and happy .Though im not miuch of a cook i know my plants im mentioning a few plants freely available in MUMBAI,INDIA with edible flowers and a basic idea of how they taste.

Edible Plants


Basil: Ocimum basilicum
Tastes like: different varieties have different milder flavors of the corresponding leaves. Tastes like: lemon, mint.


Carnation Dianthus caryophyllus (aka Dianthus)
Tastes like: spicy, peppery, clove-like


Chives: Garden Allium schoenoprasum Tastes like: mild onion flavor.
Chives: Garlic Allium tuberosum Tastes like: garlicky flavor


Citrus: Lemon Citrus limon Tastes like: waxy, pronounced flavor, use sparingly as an edible garnish, good for making citrus waters


Gardenia Gardenia jasminoides Tastes like: light, sweet flavor



Coriander Coriander sativum Pungent. A prime ingredient in salsa and many Latino and Oriental dishes. Tastes like: Some palates detect a disagreeable soapy flavor while others adore it.


Jasmine: Arabian Jasminum sambac Tastes like: delicate sweet flavor, used for teas.




Lavender Lavendula species Lavender oil may be poisenous. More Info. Tastes like: floral, slightly perfumey flavor


Lemon Verbena Aloysia triphylla Tastes like: lemony flavor, usually steeped for tea



Marigold: Signet Tagetes tenuifolia (aka T. signata) Tastes like: spicy to bitter


Marjoram Origanum majorana Highly aromatic and slightly pungent, they add a delicious piquancy to dishes but must be used with discretion


Mint Mentha species The flavor of the flowers are minty, but with different overtones depending on the variety. Mint flowers and leaves are great in Middle Eastern dishes.


Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) - Cranberry-like flavor with citrus overtones. Use slightly acidic petals sparingly in salads or as garnish. The flower can be dried to make an exotic tea.


Rose Rosa rugosa or R. gallica officinalis Tastes like: sweet, aromatic flavor, stronger fragrance produces a stronger flavor. Be sure to remove the bitter white portion of the petals. Rose hips are also edible 


Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis Tastes like: pine-like, sweet, savory. 


Sage Salvia officinalis Sage should not be eaten in large amounts over a long period of time. Tastes like: varies by type.


Sunflower* Helianthus annus Tastes like: leafy, slightly bitter. Lightly steam petals to lessen bitterness. Unopened flower buds can be steamed like artichokes.


Thyme Thymus vulgaris Tastes like: lemon, adds a nice light scent. 


(Banana) Yucca Yucca baccata Flowers (petals only) and fruit are edible. Other parts contain saponin, which is poisonous. Large amounts may be harmful. Tastes like: crunchy, fresh flavor Tastes like: crunchy, fresh flavor




Some flowers in particular to be avoided (but not a complete list) are: azalea, crocus, daffodil, foxglove, oleander, rhododendron, jack-in-the-pulpit, lily of the valley,lantena camera,jacaranda,dhatura,euphorbia,jatropha and wisteria. 

5 comments:

  1. Never new we would have edible flowers with a variety of taste. Great Insight!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Where can I get Rosemary, lemon verbena, carnation dianthus and the marigold? Do you have it in yr nursery right now? Pls send me a mail if you do S...thanks. Inez

    ReplyDelete
  3. iv got em at the nursery....do drop by post de rains for em

    ReplyDelete
  4. Where can I get Rosemary, lemon verbena, thyme, marjoram, lavender Do you have it in yr nursery right now? Pls send me a mail if you do I need at Hyderabad...thanks. Dhiraj Arora
    dhi.arora@gmail.com 9885030870

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great. Padmakar Deshpande. Writer.pune411004 email soyasangh@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete