Can You Really Eat Pansies From The Garden?

Pansies are beautiful flowers with an equally beautiful meaning. According to Texas A&M University, these flowers originated in England in the 1800s when James Gambier, a Royal Navy officer, and William Thompson, Gambier's gardener, began crossing Viola species. Pansies can boast a variety of hues, including yellow, purple, blue, pink, and white, allowing them to easily brighten up your garden. According to Petal Republic, pansies typically symbolize romantic and platonic love, compassion, and remembrance, making them a thoughtful and beautiful gift for anybody. They're also a great flower for novice gardeners, as they don't need that much care to successfully grow, per Burpee.

In addition to adorning gardens, pansies are often used for garnishing plates and food decoration, per Kamikoto. They're especially popular for decorating cakes, as they add to the aesthetic appearance of this dessert. However, are these colorful flowers merely used for garnish and decoration, or can you really eat them?

According to Plant Addicts, it is completely okay to eat a pansy. These flowers are not toxic or poisonous to humans, so consuming them won't result in any sickness or serious health problems. Pansies actually differ from some edible flowers because you can eat the entire flower, including the sepals, per West Coast Seeds. Even so, they don't actually have that much flavor, so if you add them to your food, you might not even notice them. However, they do offer notes of grassiness and wintergreen, making them perfect for bringing a hint of freshness to salads. Pansies are also commonly used to decorate cakes, and since they are edible, you don't have to worry about picking this flower off any desserts. You can even try adding candied pansies to help emphasize the sweetness of your favorite baked dish.

Though some people may not see any reason to eat pansies due to their mild flavor, they actually offer some health benefits. According to Healthline, pansies contain antioxidants and help reduce inflammation.

Pansies are just one of the few flowers that you can incorporate into food. Another popular edible flower is the marigold, per MasterClass. Marigolds have a peppery, citrus flavor that's a bit stronger than that of a pansy. These flowers are fairly similar to saffron in color and flavor, which is why they are often referred to as "poor man's saffron." However, unlike pansies, not all marigold varieties are edible, so it's important to do your research before selecting a random marigold flower. If you do choose to consume marigold, be sure to trim off the flowers "heels," as they can infuse your dish with a bitter taste.

Roses, the classic flower associated with love and romance, are also edible, per Healthline. These flowers are fairly fragrant and have a delicate, sweet flavor. Their mild sweetness makes them the perfect addition to sweeter foods, such as granola and jam. However, if you're not looking for something as aromatic as the rose, or even something as citrusy as the marigold, you can always rely on the pansy's subtle flavor.