36


Edible flowers show promise for


BC growers Research aims to put edible flowers into Canadian kitchens


by RONDA PAYNE MAPLE RIDGE – A joint


project at the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre in Ontario with nearby Freeman Herbs Inc. may help increase the home use of edible flowers. The concept presents an opportunity for BC growers that retailers and shoppers are familiar with.


Vineland research scientist Alexandra Grygorczyk says the project began in 2015 by exploring ornamental plants for gardeners. “About one-third of the


2004 JOHN DEERE 6420


2WD, 110 HP, 4300 HOURS, POWER QUAD W/ REVERSER $31,000


2003 MCCORMICK GX50 W/LOADER, 4WD, 49 HP, 4166 HOURS $15,000


JD 6410 W/ TIGER SIDE MOWER, 4WD, 104 HP, 3628 HOURS, 2 REMOTES............................$32,000 1984 JD 4250 2WD, 120 HP, 9270 HOURS, COMPLETE REBUILT POWERSHIFT.........................$29,000 1974 JD 7520 ARTICULATED 4WD, 194 HP, 175 PTO HP, 3115 HOURS .........................$17,250 1994 JD 4960 MFWD, 200 HP, PWR SHIFT, 3700 HOURS ON REBUILT EN- GINE, 2 HOURS ON TRANS & REAR END REBUILD ...................... $39,900 2013 KUBOTA BX25DLB W/ LOADER & BACKHOE, 4WD, 562 HOURS, 23 HP, HYDRO...........$15,000 2004 CASE IH JX85 2WD, 85 HP, 2925 HOURS, MECHANICAL SHUTTLE................................$14,900 1976 JD 8430 ARTICULATED 4WD, 194 HP, NEW CLUTCH............$11,000 1992 FORD 5610 2WD, 68 HP, 8 SPEED HI-LO TRANSMISSION $10,900 1987 MF 399 2WD, 94 HP, 8654 HOURS .........................$10,500 2013 NORTHERN NAU4512S LIVE FLOOR TRAILER, 45’, HYD. ENDGATE, TANDEM W/ LIFT AXLE.................................... $45,900


www.tjequipmentllc.com 360-815-1597LYNDEN, WA


ALL PRICES IN US FUNDS


[gardeners interviewed] were actually more interested in edible flowers than blueberries or strawberries,” says Grygorczyk. Edible flowers have been trending, likely because of increased use by restaurants. Heather Pritchard, a member of Glorious Organics Co-operative in Langley, says she’s been growing edible flowers “right from the beginning ” in 1986, when the co-op’s previous iteration was established, and says there’s been a recent rise in interest in edible flowers. Glorious Organics’ salad mixes with flowers are more popular than those without, she says. “The petals are on the side as an option,” she notes, stating that packaging flowers and greens together can reduce the life of a salad mix. “It also gives flexibility in how they want to present or use the flowers. They can put the little tiny flowers on cheesecake.” Freeman Herbs sells potted herbs that consumers can tend and harvest year-round. Grygorczyk suggested producing potted flowers that


COUNTRY LIFE IN BC • NOVEMBER 2018


RONDA PAYNE PHOTO


would place them at the fingertips of home cooks. The idea has support in BC.


Great idea


“That’s a great idea, I think, if people are educated as to how to use them,” says Ingrid Koivukangas of Salt Spring’s Alchemy Farm. “Otherwise people will just think they are pretty flowers and put them on their sundeck.” Freeman’s research and


development manager Marco de Leonardis owns an organic farm in Bali that supplies local hotels and restaurants with edible flowers. He knows that while edible flowers are popular throughout the world, selling cut edible flowers in a retail environment is challenging due to short shelf life.


Initially, 35 types were


trialed for length of blooms, appearance in pots, production inputs and complexity to produce. Freeman then pursued 10 varieties for taste trials based on sensory reactions to describe flavours, textures and consumer preferences. Pritchard and Koivukangas


both grow a wide range of edible flowers and know just how many edible varieties there are. They recognize the work required in narrowing down the available choices to just 10 options. “The criteria for choosing varieties [included] high ornamental value,” says de Leonardis. “Something compact enough to put in a pot, something that is edible and ornamental at the same time, something they can have in their home but also put in food.” The project also aims to


capture flavours and varieties for different uses such as salads, cooked dishes, cocktails and even popsicles. The blooms are only needed in small quantities and are packed with vitamins. Of the 10 flowers tested with consumers last year, the top four varieties in De


Order Your Online 8


Pre-order your Baumalight generator now for delivery in 8 weeks and get an 8% discount.


WEEKS8


MFG of BRUSH MULCHERS | STUMP GRINDERS | PTO POWER PACKS | PTO GENERATORS BOOM MOWERS | AUGER BITS & DRIVES | TRENCHERS | TREE SPADES TREE SAWS | LIMB SHEARS | DRAINAGE PLOWS AND MORE...


$AVE$ %


1-866-820-7603 or 1-403-462-1975 BAUMALIGHT.COM


Leonardis’ opinion included nasturtiums, because they are large and can be stuffed; violas, which are colourful and a bit sweet; calendula, which complements meat or fish; and impatiens, because they are compact. Pritchard is fond of violas, violets and Johnny Jump Ups (also known as wild pansies) . Koivukangas notes calendula is growing in popularity for a wide range of uses, including culinary. “When I put calendula out in the farm stand in bunches, it goes really fast,” she says. Freeman expects to launch its line of edible flowers next year. De Leonardis sees US grocery stores as the first market with potted herbs and potted edible flowers on sale side-by-side because of the size of the US market and he feels Americans are more familiar with edible flowers than Canadians. He notes similar companies in England and Israel can’t keep up with the European demand for edible flowers. De Leonardis cautions that


growers interested in growing edible flowers must be prepared to grow organically. “For edible flowers it’s


necessary,” Koivukangas says.


Proudly certifying Producers and Processors across Canada


Proudly certifying Producers and Processors within BC and Alberta.


FVOPA delivers year-round certification services to all regions of Canada, in compliance with the Canadian Organic Standards and the BC Certified Organic ISO 17065 program. Products may bear the Canada Organic logo and be marketed Canada-wide and internationally. FVOPA provides proficient certification services for all types of Producers, Processors, Packers and Distributors. FVOPA is a self-sustaining, proactive, leading edge Certification Agency.


FVOPA provides year round certification services compliant with the Canadian Organic Standards (CAN/CGSB) and in accordance with the BC Certified Organic ISO 17065 recognized program. Products may be sold Canada-wide and in international markets. FVOPA ensures an efficient, professional certification process for all farm, processing and handling operations. Inspectors are lOlA trained and qualified making FVOPA a leading Certification Agency.


Phone 604-789-7586 P.O. Box 18591 Delta, BC V4K 4V7


Delta, BC V4L2P8


Phone: 778-434-3070 PO Box 19052


Message 604-607-1655 Email: admin@fvopa.ca www.fvopa.ca


Email: admin@fvopa.ca www.fvopa.ca


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44