Marrying flowers with foods may seem to be a hip new trend, but it's actually a tradition that dates back centuries. In the Orient, the Daylily served its purpose as more than a decoration, and in the early days of Rome, violets adorned period foods. Not surprisingly, the floral taste of rose petals was especially popular during the Victorian era.

Do all flowers taste like perfume? Not necessarily. Roses do have a very floral, perfume like taste; however, other varieties better complement the tastes to which we have grown accustomed. For instance, lilies and lilac tend to be sweet, sugary, where firewood is more spicy, peppery. Lavender has an herbal flavor while hibiscus has a tart, citrus taste. A list of edible flowers along with descriptions of their flavors can be found at http://www.peterboro.net/~djackson/edible.html.

When creating meals, cooks are usually encouraged to experiment with different foods to create a magical combination of flavors and textures. Flowers can add a burst of color to your foods, but it's especially important to be aware of the exact type of flower you're using, as many flowers are very poisonous. The Garden Helper provides a comprehensive list of edible flowers (there are a few dozen). They also provide tips for using the flowers in foods.