Sweet peas are a popular garden flower known for their beautiful colors and sweet fragrance. While the peas themselves are edible when young and tender, many people wonder if the flowers are also safe to eat. The short answer is yes, sweet pea flowers can be eaten and make for a lovely floral garnish or addition to salads. However, there are some important things to know before eating them.
Are Sweet Pea Flowers Edible?
All parts of the sweet pea plant are edible, including the flowers. The blossoms have a sweet, mild flavor and are completely safe to consume. In fact, they are sometimes used in gourmet cuisine to add a pop of color, texture, and subtle sweetness to dishes. Popular ways to eat sweet pea flowers include:
- Adding them to green, grain, pasta, or fruit salads
- Floating them on top of soups
- Crystallizing or candying them as a garnish
- Infusing them into water, tea, lemonade, or cocktails
- Mixing them into butter or herb spreads
- Decorating cakes, cupcakes, and other baked goods
The flowers have a taste reminiscent of fresh green peas and go well with other spring flavors like lemon, mint, and berries. Just be sure to remove the bitter calyx or stem ends before eating the blossoms.
Nutrition Facts
Like many edible flowers, sweet peas are low in calories and high in certain nutrients. Some of the key nutritional benefits of eating sweet pea blossoms include:
- Vitamin C – Sweet peas are high in immune-boosting vitamin C. 1/2 cup of raw peas contains over 30% of the recommended daily intake.
- Vitamin A – They also provide vitamin A in the form of beta carotene. This important vitamin supports eye and skin health.
- Fiber – Pea flowers offer a modest amount of fiber to help regulate digestion.
- Antioxidants – Sweet peas contain polyphenol antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.
While sweet pea flowers are nutritious, they are very low in calories, with only around 20 calories per 1/2 cup. They make an excellent addition to a diet focused on whole, natural foods.
Growing and Harvesting Sweet Pea Flowers
If you want to grow your own edible sweet pea flowers, it’s relatively easy to do. Here are some tips:
- Plant sweet pea seeds in the garden after any danger of frost has passed, usually late March or April. Plant seeds 1 inch deep.
- Sweet peas need support to climb and grow properly. Set up a trellis, fence, or stakes and strings when planting.
- Keep sweet pea plants well-watered. Add a layer of mulch to help retain moisture.
- Fertilize plants every 2-3 weeks during the growing season for abundant blooms.
- Harvest sweet pea flowers when they are young and just beginning to open. Older, wilting flowers will be tougher and less flavorful.
- Gently pluck off the flowers, leaving some stem attached. Rinse and use right away for maximum freshness.
With proper care and frequent harvesting, sweet pea plants will continue blooming all season long. Just be sure to plant a fragrant, edible variety – some modern hybrids are bred for showy flowers but may lack scent or flavor.
Are There Any Concerns With Eating Sweet Peas?
Sweet peas are considered non-toxic and safe to eat. However, there are a few considerations to keep in mind:
- Pesticides – Only eat organically grown pea flowers if you’re concerned about pesticide residue. Wash conventionally grown flowers thoroughly.
- Choking hazard – Whole sweet pea blossoms could be a choking risk for some people, especially small children. Chop or shred flowers into smaller pieces if serving to young kids.
- Allergies – Those with known food allergies should exercise caution, as sweet peas belong to the legume family. If you have legume allergies, avoid eating the flowers.
- Digestive issues – While rare, some people may experience gas or bloating from eating sweet peas. Start with a small portion to see how your body handles them.
When in doubt, consult your healthcare provider before adding any new food, including edible flowers, to your diet.
Tips for Eating Sweet Pea Flowers
Want to start incorporating sweet pea blossoms into your recipes? Here are some helpful tips:
- Look for organically grown, pesticide-free flowers from reputable sources.
- Gently rinse flowers and check for dirt or insects before eating.
- Remove the bitter green calyx from the base of the flower before using.
- Use sweet pea flowers soon after harvesting for the best flavor.
- Add flowers at the last minute to hot dishes to preserve color and texture.
- If crystallizing or candying flowers, brush lightly with egg white so the sugar sticks.
- Pair sweet pea flowers with ingredients like mint, lemon, berries, cheese, or herbs.
With their lovely colors and sweet, tender flavor, sweet pea blossoms can dress up both savory and sweet recipes. They make an edible, ornamental garnish for special occasions like weddings or teas as well.
5 Tasty Ways to Use Sweet Pea Flowers
Looking for culinary inspiration for your homegrown sweet pea blooms? Here are 5 delicious ways to use them:
- Sweet pea salad – Toss chopped pea flowers into green salads for a pop of color and texture. Pair with cucumbers, feta, and mint.
- Stuffed pea flowers – Stuff blossoms with herbed cheese or rice for an elegant appetizer or side dish.
- Infused drinks – Float whole flowers in lemonade, iced tea, gin cocktails, or sparkling wine for a sweet, floral flavor.
- Sweet pea butter – Blend pea blossoms into butter or cream cheese spreads. Delicious on scones or sandwiches.
- Decorated desserts – Use flowers to decorate cakes, cupcakes, cookies, panna cotta – anything that needs a touch of natural beauty.
Don’t limit yourself to these ideas – let your creativity run wild! Sweet pea flowers are edible and make stunning additions to all kinds of recipes.
Storing Sweet Pea Blossoms
To enjoy sweet pea flowers for more than just immediate use, you’ll need to store them properly to preserve freshness. Here are some tips:
- Short-term storage – Place freshly picked pea blossoms in a glass of water in the fridge to keep for 1-2 days. Trim the stems occasionally.
- Longer storage – Gently pack unwashed blossoms into resealable plastic bags or airtight containers. Store in the refrigerator crisper drawer for 3-5 days.
- Freezing – Blanch pea flowers for 15-30 seconds, then freeze on cookie sheets before transferring to freezer bags. Or freeze small whole flowers directly in ice cube trays filled with water.
- Drying – Hang pea flower bunches upside down or spread flowers on dehydrator trays. Dry completely before storing in airtight containers.
Proper storage keeps sweet pea blossoms fresh longer so you can enjoy their beauty and flavor over time. Freeze or dry flowers to preserve a taste of spring all year round.
Where to Buy Sweet Pea Flowers
Don’t have space to grow sweet peas yourself? You can sometimes find fresh or dried pea blossoms for sale at:
- Farmers markets
- Specialty or organic grocery stores
- Online stores specializing in edible flowers
- Nurseries and garden centers selling plants for edible gardening
When purchasing, look for vibrant, just-opened flowers on robust stems. Wilted or damaged blossoms will quickly decline in quality. For food safety, only purchase flowers grown without pesticides and specifically for consumption.
How to Candy Sweet Pea Flowers
Candying is one of the prettiest ways to prepare sweet pea blossoms. Follow these simple steps:
- Gently wash and thoroughly dry freshly picked sweet pea flowers.
- Create an egg white wash by beating 1 egg white until frothy. Use a clean pastry brush to lightly coat each flower.
- Pour 1 cup granulated sugar into a shallow bowl. Carefully dip each flower in the sugar to coat completely.
- Set the coated flowers on a cooling rack positioned over a baking sheet. Allow to sit for 1-2 hours until sugar coating is dry.
- Store candied flowers layered between sheets of parchment or wax paper in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
That’s all it takes to create beautiful candied sweet pea flowers perfect for decorating cakes, cupcakes, and other desserts. The egg white enables the delicate blossoms to hold the sugar coating.
Recipes with Sweet Pea Flowers
Want to showcase sweet pea blossoms in your recipes? Here are a couple of delicious ideas to try:
Sweet Pea Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
- 8 oz pasta shape of choice (farfalle, rotini, etc)
- 1 cup fresh sweet pea flowers
- 1 cup shelled fresh peas
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced mint leaves
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water; let cool.
- In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, sweet peas, pea flowers, mint, and cheese. Add oil, lemon juice and zest, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss gently to coat. Serve salad chilled or at room temperature.
The sweet pea blossoms add lovely color, texture, and flavor to this fresh pasta salad.
Sweet Pea Flower Cupcakes
Ingredients:
- 1 box white or yellow cake mix, plus ingredients listed on box
- 1/2 cup fresh sweet pea flowers
- 1 recipe buttercream frosting
- Extra pea flowers for garnish
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup cupcake tin with paper liners.
- Make cake mix according to box instructions, gently folding the 1/2 cup pea flowers into the prepared batter.
- Divide batter evenly into lined cupcake cups and bake for time listed on cake mix box.
- When cupcakes are done, remove from oven and let cool completely before frosting.
- Pipe or spread desired amount of frosting onto each cooled cupcake. Top with extra pea blossoms just before serving.
The sweet pea flowers add subtle flavor and beautiful pops of color to these charming cupcakes!
Common Questions
Are sweet pea flowers safe for babies and toddlers to eat?
Sweet pea flowers are non-toxic but could pose a choking hazard to small children. Supervise closely, and cut or shred flowers into tiny pieces before serving to babies or toddlers.
What do sweet pea flowers taste like?
Sweet pea blossoms have a mild, sweet flavor reminiscent of fresh green peas or snow peas. They lack the grassy bitterness sometimes associated with other edible flowers.
Can you grow sweet peas just for the flowers?
Yes, you can grow sweet peas exclusively for the edible flowers. Simply harvest the blooms regularly, which will encourage continual flowering. Leave the peas to mature on the vine only if you want to collect and eat the pods as well.
Are dried or frozen pea flowers still edible?
Yes, properly dried and frozen sweet pea blossoms retain their edibility and can be used like fresh flowers in recipes. Freezing or drying helps preserve the flowers outside of their short spring growing season.
What’s the best way to candy sweet pea flowers?
Brushing freshly picked blossoms with egg white and then coating with granulated sugar produces beautifully candied flowers perfect for decorating. Let the coated flowers dry completely before storing or using.
| Sweet Pea Flower Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Lathyrus odoratus |
| Part of Plant Eaten | Flowers |
| Flavor | Sweet, mild, pea-like |
| Texture | Tender, delicate |
| Common Uses | Salads, drinks, desserts, garnishes |
Conclusion
Sweet pea flowers make a lovely edible garnish and addition to recipes when used properly. Their mild pea-like flavor and colorful blooms can dress up both savory and sweet dishes. While the entire sweet pea plant is non-toxic, take care when serving the flowers to young children due to choking concerns. Choose organically grown blossoms whenever possible. Store freshly picked flowers refrigerated for a few days, or preserve by freezing or drying. With a bit of creativity, you can find many delicious uses for sweet pea flowers in your cooking and baking.
