1 week Ago By Isobel Pankhurst
With Love, Meghan, the new Netflix series from Meghan Markle, has been taking the world by storm. However, the series has certainly had some critics, just as many people have loved it and even been inspired by it. Many viewers have enjoyed watching the Duchess of Sussex make gift baskets for guests, rainbow food platters, and use edible flowers in her meal preparation.
Fans of the series have clearly taken a leaf out of Meghan's book, with these surging in popularity in the weeks since the show dropped. Tastewise, a generative AI consumer insights platform, have noted that edible flower demand has soared +27.5% globally compared to last year, making them one of this season's top trending foods.
Alongside this, Google searches for edible flowers in meals and cocktails have risen by 300%, highlighting a major shift in curiosity and demand for this ingredient. Alon Chen, CEO at Tastewise, says: "As edible flowers gain momentum this spring, they are redefining seasonal flavour trends with a fresh and creative twist, driven by a growing interest in florals like hibiscus, lavender, chamomile, and elderflower. "Consumers are captivated not only by their delicate taste but also by their ability to transform a dish visually.
"This shift presents an exciting opportunity for brands and home cooks alike to innovate—pairing floral notes with bold fruit flavours like strawberry, lemon, and even tomato to create unexpected, adventurous combinations that surprise and delight modern palates." Further highlighting the growing popularity of edible flowers, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has noted that the use of edible flowers can also increase children's interest in baking and gardening. They have also highlighted a number of edible flowers you can grow in your own garden, including: Alpine pinks Bergamot Chrysanthemum Daisy Day lily Elderflower Hibiscus Hollyhock Lavender Nasturtium Pot marigold Primrose Rose Scented geraniums Sunflower Tiger lily It is typically only the flower petals that are edible, with the experts suggesting disposing of stamens, pistils and calyces.
For some flowers, it's also worth removing the bitter ‘heel’ at the base of the petal..
