Edible Cornflowers - A British Wildflower Delicacy
- Sarah Cleary
- Jun 14
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 16
The British countryside was once full of rich wildflower meadows, a habitat that is now not only in serious decline but sadly almost eradicated. The tall wavy stems of bright blue Cornflowers would grace our arable fields along with Poppies, Corncockles and Buttercups amongst hundreds of others. The beautiful edible Cornflowers, along with so many other species were quickly eliminated by the herbicides and industrial machinery of intensive farming practices, leaving our fields comparatively barren. Now we are learning about the potential benefits of this plant again, particularly its use as a companion to agricultural crops such as cabbages. It may never be seen in its historical habitat as a weed of barley, wheat and oats but it may well resurface in our farmland as we continue to learn about its many benefits. Our knowledge about maintaining a healthy balance of species in commercial crops is ever expanding and as we move away from chemical pest control, understanding the role of beneficial insects and the need to provide for them becomes increasingly important. This understanding will hopefully lead to increased biodiversity in the future, a move that we can all welcome.
Thankfully, Cornflowers are highly prized for other uses, not only as garden plants and cut flowers but also as an edible flower. This passion for our once common weed has led to the development of a number of colourful ornamental cultivars which now grace our gardens and plates in abundance. This is great news for the wide range of species that are attracted by this beautiful flower. For insects, it is incredibly giving - its nectar and pollen make wonderful food sources and the soft open-centred flowers also make great overnight resting places. After flowering, the heads become full of nutritious seeds, perfect for hungry Goldfinches and Bullfinches.
As a culinary ingredient, edible Cornflowers are one of the most versatile. They’re available in a wide range of beautiful colours and the petals are soft and delicate, with barely any flavour. Even when dried, their texture remains palatable, making them suitable for use on all sorts of edible creations.
Whole pressed Cornflowers make stunning decorations for celebration cakes, with their crown of petals on strong stems. The shape is visually impressive and they can be used to add height by standing proud of the tallest tier.
Pressed Cornflower petals are even more adaptable. They are the perfect choice for decorating cakes, easy to press into buttercream or just to scatter on the surface of glazes. They are wonderful for incorporating into meadow style arrangements or the cascades of wedding cake designs, offering colours that are either complimentary or contrasting. Their delicate texture and small size also makes them ideal for using on desserts or bakes, looking fabulous on glace icing or as a garnish on an elegant dessert. The petals of edible Cornflowers lend themselves to savoury dishes too, making a colourful feature on salads and cheeseboards.
Being so delicate, pressed edible Cornflower petals are also a fabulous addition to drinks and cocktails, a perfect way to add a splash of colour to your creations. Explore our range of edible Cornflowers by searching for them on our homepage, whether you're looking for whole stems or pressed petals, there's a wonderful selection of colours to choose from.
