How to Make Flower Sugar

There are a wide range of flowers that are edible.Not only can the petals be washed and used in salads or as garnish, but they can also be combined with sugar and a little food color to make a delicately flavored enhancement for teas, baked goods and desserts.

Things You'll Need

• For one cup sugar:
• Edible flowers (such as lavender, roses, sunflowers, begonias, violets, pansies, gardenias, chrysanthemums and nasturium)
• 1 cup white sugar
• Snack size Ziploc bags
• Food coloring, if desired

Instructions

How to Make Flower Sugar

1. Select edible flowers grown without pesticides. Roses, sunflowers pansies are good ones to start.Remove thpetals from flowers and discard stem..

2. Place flower petals in colander and rinse under cool running water, then lay out on paper towels and blot dry.

3. Place 1 cup of sugar into a zip-top bag. Add clean, dried flower petals to sugar.

4. Squeeze out the air from the bag and seal, then place bag in cool dry place to let rest for 3 to 4 days. This allows the flower essence to blend with the sugar.

5. After 3 to 4 days, carefully remove petals from the sugar. Zip bag closed and knead gently with your hands. Sugar is ready to use. If you want a bit of color in the sugar, squeeze a tiny drop of food coloring (blue for lavender, pink for rose, yellow for sunflower, etc.) into the bag. Knead and shake bag gently. to distribute.Leave in bag, or store sugar in an airtight container.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't use flowers from a florist or commercial nursery as they may be contaminated with pesticides. Grow your own from seeds or purchase from an organic grower. Farmers markets are a good resource for organically grown flowers; check your local newspaper to find one near you.

• Avoid daffodil, azalea, rhododendron and oleander flowers as these are not edible. This is not a complete list; however. To be on the safe side, check with the website listed above to make sure the flower you want to use is edible.