Bloom Palate

2021 looks much like 2020 from March onward. This year remains pandemic-affected to most of consumer needs and outlook. It is more about wellness and concerns for health than looking ahead with optimism. One of the ways that consumers have adopted to address their concerns is through their diet - which brings us to this blog's subject - edible flowers. Brought into my attention via various IG stories and bloggers and influencers posts. Sharing a few below:

Edible flowers are nutritious, containing anti-oxidants, having anti-inflammatory properties and being rich in bioactive compounds. While they have been trending since 2018, their health benefits are not the only reasons for which they are sought after. The pandemic puts new focuses on them due to lifestyle changes:

A Touch of Nature on the Plating: Nature is restorative. “Studies have proven that even the smallest bit of nature — a single tree, a small patch of flowers, a house plant — can generate health benefits,” said Kathleen Wolf, a UW research social scientist in the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences. During this time staying indoors as a safety measure or because of lockdowns has made people appreciate being outdoors, in the nature. This feeling has gone further by bringing a bit of blooming nature to the food being consumed.

Clean Labels: Consumers have been moving towards naturally sourced ingredients from processed ones due to their desire for healthy foods that are naturally prepared. What better than beautifully colourful, vibrant flowers instead of food colouring. Colour plays a vital role in delighting the senses, differentiating flavour expectations and aiding in taste perceptions. Also, these make for a social-media share worthy content increasing use in food photography. Notice in above post, the flowers are barely visible yet present. While the post below is the first of edible flower content on @domsli22 before it became a constant content inspiration.

Global Food: People are looking to global flavours for a sense of culinary adventure closer to home with the pandemic continuing to curtail overseas travel. ADM predicts that consumers will explore beyond their usual palate’s comfort zone in 2021 and anticipate an increased desire for more exotic and unusual flavours likely giving way to growth in popularity in the year ahead for edible flowers. (Source 3)

As for the market for edible flowers, Europe is supposed to have the highest consumption and Asia Pacific (excluding Japan), India and China are growing progressively. There are opportunities for growth in R&D to increase shelf life and explore retail-sale possibilities.

Sources:

1. Kumari, Poonam; Ujala; Bhargava Bhavya. Phytochemicals from edible flowers: Opening a new arena for healthy lifestyle; Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 78, 104375, ISSN 1756-4646. 2001. <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2021.104375>

2. <https://www.trilogyei.com/vibrant-floral-and-botanical-flavors-blossom-into-food-beverage/> May 19, 2021.

3. <https://www.fbtech.co.nz/2021/01/06/the-rainbow-effect-exploring-colour-in-2021/> May 19, 2021.