DIY - Edible Flowers Frozen in Ice Cubes
Edible Flower frozen in Ice Cubes for drinks or buckets
WEDDING - DIY or SEMI-DIY
DECORATING IDEA FOR WEDDINGS & EVENTS:
This does not require a lot of work or costs but adds a touch of personalized glamour to an event and it’s as simple as making ice. Using edible flowers frozen in ice cubes for drinks or use in wine/champagne buckets or even beer buckets. It’s so simple and with good organization, one can do it themselves or with the help of friends and family. Another ideas is “Semi-DYI” by giving these instructions to your wedding or event planner to create.
If you are really ambitious, visit your local nursery and find out how you can safely grow your own edible flowers. What a great personal story that would be for your event or wedding and something for the “IDEA BOARD” – give a packet of ‘seeds’ with your ‘story’ and directions as a wedding/event favor.
MATERIALS
Edible flowers
Ice tray
Directions
Some helpful tips:
WEDDING - DIY or SEMI-DIY
DECORATING IDEA FOR WEDDINGS & EVENTS:
This does not require a lot of work or costs but adds a touch of personalized glamour to an event and it’s as simple as making ice. Using edible flowers frozen in ice cubes for drinks or use in wine/champagne buckets or even beer buckets. It’s so simple and with good organization, one can do it themselves or with the help of friends and family. Another ideas is “Semi-DYI” by giving these instructions to your wedding or event planner to create.
If you are really ambitious, visit your local nursery and find out how you can safely grow your own edible flowers. What a great personal story that would be for your event or wedding and something for the “IDEA BOARD” – give a packet of ‘seeds’ with your ‘story’ and directions as a wedding/event favor.
MATERIALS
Edible flowers
Ice tray
Directions
- To suspend flowers in the cubes, work in layers: Fill an ice tray (one that makes large cubes so the ice will last longer) a quarter of the way with water, add flowers facing down, and freeze. Add more water to fill halfway, and freeze. Fill to the top, and freeze again.
- For ice that's especially clear, use distilled water that has been boiled and then cooled. This limits impurities and air bubbles, which make ice cloudy.
- Use only edible flowers, such as orchids, nasturtiums, pansies, and snapdragons, that have been grown to be eaten (to ensure they haven't been treated with chemicals).
- Place the flowers face down in the tray. Fill cubes about ¼ of the way full, so the flowers are just covered. Freeze until solid. Add water until tray is half full (about ¼ cube more). Return to freezer and freeze until solid.
- Repeat this process twice more until cubes are completely full and frozen. (Optional step: if you'd like a second layer of flowers, add them after the third addition of water.)
- Once the cubes are completely solid, dislodge from tray and use in drinks, in buckets.
Some helpful tips:
- It’s best to use bigger ice cube molds because the cubes will melt slower.
- Silicone ice cube trays make it possible to dislodge cubes without breaking them.
- To achieve clearer cubes, start with distilled water. Bring water to a boil and boil for 2-3 minutes, then allow water to cool completely before freezing to prevent imperfections.
Where to Buy Edible Flowers
Make sure you buy only flowers as identified as 100% safe to consume and ones that have been grown without pesticides.
Place to find edible flowers is your local farmers' market (gives you a chance to talk to the vendors to find out more about the flowers and how they are grown); Specialty markets like Whole Foods or Gelsons often have them but may be limited to the floral variety. Also found a nice site online Gourmet Sweet Botanicals who have a variety of edible flowers you can order online (www.Gourmetsweetbotanicals.com).
How to Clean and Store
1. Shake flowers to remove any excess dirt.
2. Gently wash in a large bowl of cold water; drain.
3. Let flowers air-dry on a paper towel–lined tray.
4. Use immediately or store in an airtight container, lined with damp paper towels, in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Flowers to Try
For the most part, edible flowers taste like they smell. Our advice: Buy a few different kinds and experiment! That's the only real way to decide what you like. Just keep in mind that not every flower is edible. Only buy ones you can identify and know are 100% safe to eat.
Rose, Arugula Flowers, Chive Blossoms, Hibiscus, Jasmine, Johnny-Jump-Ups Lavender, Orchids, Pansies, Lemon Verbena, Marigold, Nasturtiums, Squash Blossoms and Violets. Many leaves from the produce section are also beautiful and could be used such as basil and mint.
Make sure you buy only flowers as identified as 100% safe to consume and ones that have been grown without pesticides.
Place to find edible flowers is your local farmers' market (gives you a chance to talk to the vendors to find out more about the flowers and how they are grown); Specialty markets like Whole Foods or Gelsons often have them but may be limited to the floral variety. Also found a nice site online Gourmet Sweet Botanicals who have a variety of edible flowers you can order online (www.Gourmetsweetbotanicals.com).
How to Clean and Store
1. Shake flowers to remove any excess dirt.
2. Gently wash in a large bowl of cold water; drain.
3. Let flowers air-dry on a paper towel–lined tray.
4. Use immediately or store in an airtight container, lined with damp paper towels, in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Flowers to Try
For the most part, edible flowers taste like they smell. Our advice: Buy a few different kinds and experiment! That's the only real way to decide what you like. Just keep in mind that not every flower is edible. Only buy ones you can identify and know are 100% safe to eat.
Rose, Arugula Flowers, Chive Blossoms, Hibiscus, Jasmine, Johnny-Jump-Ups Lavender, Orchids, Pansies, Lemon Verbena, Marigold, Nasturtiums, Squash Blossoms and Violets. Many leaves from the produce section are also beautiful and could be used such as basil and mint.