Edible Flowers
A Global History
Distributed for Reaktion Books
144 pages
|
45 color plates, 15 halftones
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5 x 7 3/4
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© 2016
- Contents
- Review Quotes
Table of Contents

Contents
Introduction
1 The Ancient World
2 The Middle Ages to the Nineteenth Century
3 The Victorian Era to Today
4 Asia
5 The Mediterranean and the Middle East
6 Europe
7 The Americas
Afterword
Precautions When Eating Edible Flowers
Flower Dinner Menu
Recipes
Select Bibliography
Websites and Associations
Acknowledgements
Photo Acknowledgements
Index
1 The Ancient World
2 The Middle Ages to the Nineteenth Century
3 The Victorian Era to Today
4 Asia
5 The Mediterranean and the Middle East
6 Europe
7 The Americas
Afterword
Precautions When Eating Edible Flowers
Flower Dinner Menu
Recipes
Select Bibliography
Websites and Associations
Acknowledgements
Photo Acknowledgements
Index
Review Quotes
English Garden
"Broad in scope, Kirker’s work explains the use of edible flowers from ancient times to the present day . . . It is a whistlestop tour that stays engaging and the history doesn’t simply cherry pick the sentimental stories . . . The book also contains flower-based recipes as well as precautions for eating flowers and, perhaps unlike some of the crops mentioned, it is very easy to digest."
Garden Organic
"This neat little book is part of a fascinating series called Edible, in which each volume explores the rich history of individual foods and drink – from Apple to Whisky, with diversions en route to Olives, Nuts, Onions and Garlic. Did you know that the Romans believed that eating calendula helps you to see fairies? Maybe you want to cook Beef with Rosebuds? A surprising and enjoyable read."
Choice
“This beautifully illustrated, delightful book is one in the long-standing series ‘Edible,’ which focuses on the history of the consumption of specific foods. The authors classify and describe flowers that have been consumed in a variety of ways (according to geographic location) and provide a time line of when these flowers were used (the ancient world, the Middle Ages, etc.). Flowers and other parts of plants have been used with foods in many ancient cultures—the Chinese, Greeks, and Romans incorporated flowers into food. This practice has continued—for colorful use, delicate flavor, as well as some nutritional qualities. Recommended.”
Gambero Rosso
"Kirker and Newman take us on a journey to the past, going back to the Egyptians, the Greeks, and the Romans, and around the world, to discover intriguing traditions and symbols."
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