The AnOther Guide to Edible Flowers

Willy Wonka has nothing on Sam Bompas and Harry Parr – the astute and delightfully dapper British duo behind such synaesthetic, food-art installations as: an artisanal chewing gum factory, multi-sensory fireworks, glow-in-the-dark jelly and most recently, Alcoholic Architecture: a walk-in cocktail cloud, masterfully concocted in an ancient London monastery. As diverse and extraordinary as their compendium of creations might seem, the pair – who launched their namesake, London-based studio in 2007 – always subscribe to the same theorum: to create a fully immersive, flavour-based experience. Needless to say, we couldn't think of a better culinary pairing to curate our latest guide on the burgeoning trend for edible flowers. Here, Sam Bompas serves up five delectable blooms that will enliven your palate (and blow your mind). 

1: The Pitcher Plant
"First and foremost, the miniature pitcher plant. Yes, its carnivourous and tends to spend its life luring unsuspecting insects into its murky, sweet depths – but it also makes a wonderful cocktail shot glass. Simply fill a dozen of them with the liquor of your choice and pass them around at a party. Just knowing that people are holding a plant that eats flesh tends to be a great party trick." 

2: The Blue Lotus Flower 
"The blue lotus flower was actually used as a memorial ritual for the ancient Egyptians, and it wasn't until very recently that anyone had bothered trying it! Turns out it's mildy psychoactive, but perfectly legal, and enhances your colour perception, making every shade really vivid. It works especially well when infused with wine, or dried out and served as tea leaves, like this." 

3: Szechuan Buttons 
"These are very tiny, close-knit flowers that you can use as a garnish. You know that feeling you have when you lick a battery? Well eating these little guys is just like that – really intense, but amazing! It feels like lightning striking in your mouth. We prefer to make it as a bitters for cocktails, though you have to be careful with it – it's only comparable to very strong szechuan pepper, you get that numbness in the cheek and a big rush of saliva." 

4: BlinQ Blossom
"This is a very unique flower from South Africa, and what's so unusual, is that it's like a miniature monster for your tongue. Essentially, it has large water-filled vacuoles around the outside of it, so it looks like alien vegetation or something you might see served on Star Trek. As you bite it, all the vacuoles start exploding, filling your mouth with savoury saline water that tastes brilliant with savoury fishes or meat. Pass some of this around in a bowl and it's a guaranteed conversation starter."

5: The 'From Mars' Leaf 
"This is not so much an edible flower, as an edible leaf. It's the most insane thing ever and tastes like a really strong cheese! My suppliers call it the 'From Mars leaf'. It's used in Vietnam as a vegetable, and is thought to increase your sex drive and even have healing powers. Whether that's true or not, it makes an excellent savoury dish. Serve it solo, and people will be totally blown away. I like to offer guests a choice of red or green From Mars leaves."  

Special thanks to Bompas & Parr