Finding your Flowers

There are hundreds of flowers that are edible and can therefore be considered for drinks making (there are also many more which are poisonous, so always make sure you know what varieties are suitable for human consumption). Many are common species cultivated for gardens and borders, but huge numbers – including weeds like the dandelion – grow wild in abundance, just waiting for the right time to be picked. For those less disposed to growing or foraging, a good choice of dried flowers is readily available to the home brewer. Elderflowers and rose petals are sold by an increasing number of homebrew specialists, while others such as heather, lavender and cornflower may be sold by herbalists or apothecaries. You might even be surprised to hear that several floral ingredients can be bought at your local supermarket – some specialist teas, such as chamomile, are made from dried petals, for example; extremely convenient for us home brewers.