Come spring, crab apple trees erupt in a profusion of delicate pink or white blooms It’s a stunning sight that captures the essence of the season But an intriguing question arises – can these ornamental blossoms be eaten? Let’s explore the edibility and uses of crab apple flowers.
Crab apples belong to the Malus genus of trees, closely related to domestic apples. There are over 50 species, ranging from small shrubs to small trees reaching 25 feet tall.
These trees produce tiny fruit resembling miniature apples around 1 to 2 inches wide. But it’s the flowers that steal the show in spring. Crab apple blossoms have a distinctive five-petaled shape and range from pale pink to deep magenta in color.
The blooms appear on bare branches in spring usually lasting around 1-2 weeks. In addition to their beauty the blossoms attract pollinators before giving way to the fruit later in summer.
Are Crab Apple Blossoms Actually Edible?
The quick answer is yes, crab apple blossoms are edible. While they are traditionally grown as ornamentals, the flowers can be safely consumed.
Crab apple blossoms have a mildly sweet, floral taste. Unopened buds tend to be more flavorful than fully open flowers. The blooms can be eaten fresh or preserved via drying or infusing into syrups.
However, some key precautions need to be taken when ingesting crab apple blossoms which we’ll outline below.
Potential Concerns and Precautions with Eating Crab Apple Blooms
While crab apple blossoms are edible and non-toxic, here are some important factors to consider:
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Allergy risk: Those with pollen allergies may react to the raw blossoms. Cooking them may reduce reactions.
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Pesticides: Avoid blossoms potentially treated with chemicals. Grow your own or source organic.
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Digestive issues: Overeating may cause discomfort. Consume in moderation.
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Heavy metals: Older urban trees may accumulate lead or other metals, so research source trees.
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Washing: Clean blossoms thoroughly to remove debris and bugs. Gently pat dry.
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Children: Crab apple blossoms are not recommended for young kids due to potential choking hazard on parts.
Exercising caution with sourcing and consumption is advised. When in doubt, avoid eating in large quantities.
Creative Ways to Safely Enjoy Crab Apple Blossoms
For those intrigued by their edibility, here are some recommended ways to enjoy crab apple blooms:
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Infuse blossoms into simple syrups for beverages, cocktails, or desserts.
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Craft floral jellies, vinegars, sugars, sea salts, butters or honeys.
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Make ** teas** from the petals or use as a garnish.
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Create crab apple blossom water as a unique ingredient.
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Candy or crystallize blossoms.
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Gently incorporate into salads or as a cake topper.
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Use as natural food dyes depending on the pigments.
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Add to sesame oil for an aromatic dipping sauce.
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Stir into yogurt, ice cream, or floral desserts like sorbets.
Optimal Harvesting and Preparation of Crab Apple Flowers
To get the most flavor and color from crab apple blossoms:
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Harvest in early morning after dew dries, but before peak heat.
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Choose loosely closed buds to fully opened fresh flowers.
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Avoid wilted or damaged blossoms.
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Use scissors for a clean cut; don’t pull.
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Gently wash and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.
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Use immediately or store chilled for a day.
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Pull out pistils and stamens before eating.
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Sugar can help reduce bitterness if eatingraw.
Storing Crab Apple Blossoms via Drying or Freezing
To extend the use of crab apple blossoms, they can be:
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Air dried by laying on mesh racks or hanging bundles in a warm, dark place.
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Oven dried at the lowest heat setting, monitoring closely to avoid scorching.
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Frozen either whole or separated into petals spread on a sheet pan.
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Packaged in an airtight container in a cool, dark place once fully dried or frozen.
The Final Verdict on Eating Crab Apple Blooms
While crab apple blossoms are technically edible and provide creative possibilities for the adventurous cook or baker, exercise safety. Only consume blossoms from trees you know have not been treated with chemicals. Introduce them into your diet gradually in small amounts.
The bottom line is crab apple blooms can make a fun seasonal ingredient for infusions, teas, desserts, and more when handled responsibly. But as with any new food, caution is warranted. Ultimately, these blossoms may be safest admired outside the body rather than inside it!
Botanical Description of Crab Apple
A crab tree is a small tree or shrub that grows in woods and hedges. It can also be found as an ornamental tree in gardens or in front of homes. The pendant branches bear shoots with leaves and flowers. The leaves are dark and glossy, and the attractive white or pink flowers blossom from deeply pink-tinged buds. Clusters of crab apple blossom often attract bees in April and May. The tree’s fruit is available in the fall, but crab apples taste much better after the first frost, when they are picked.
Native to Britain, Crab Apple trees or wildling apple trees also continue to grow wild across Europe. Several texts suggest the it was the ancestor of all cultivated apples.
Parts Used for Food
Fruit, flowers and leaves
The flowers and leaves can be picked in April and May, though the leaves may be picked earlier. The leaves can be used to make tea or frosted decorations. The apples should be picked after the first frost in autumn, perhaps around October to November time.
Flowering Crabapple – Edible Crabapple Fruit – Flowering Crab Apple – Malus species
FAQ
Are crab apple flowers edible?
Can you eat apple blossoms?
Can you eat apples from a crabapple tree?
What is flowering crabapple used for?
Are crabapples edible?
So crabapples are extremely valuable from a commercial farming perspective, even though they can’t sell their apples. It’s likely that you can thank crabapple trees for the apples in your fruit basket! Let’s Get to the Bottom of This, Are These Sour Apples Edible? Yes. They are absolutely edible, but they aren’t very tasty.
Can you eat Crabapple seeds?
Just like apples, crabapple seeds should not be consumed. The flesh of the crabapple itself isn’t toxic. However, like its cousin the apple, the seeds do contain cyanogenic glycosides, also known as cyanide. When you eat crabapples, avoid the seed, the stem, and the leaves, like eating any other apple. Even if you swallow a few seeds, don’t panic.
Are crab apples poisonous?
Like domesticated eating apples, they’re members of the Malus genus. Eating apples were simply bred to produce larger, sweeter fruit (1). A common misconception is that crab apples are toxic. This is not the case, as long as you don’t eat the core and seeds, just like with bigger apples, they’re perfectly edible.
Are crabapples apples?
In other words, crabapples are just miniature apples, defined by their diameter. Crabapples are less than two inches and apples are greater than two inches in diameter. There are hundreds of varieties of crabapple to choose from. Differences between crabapple trees are vast, particularly when it comes to fruits.
Are crab apples palatable?
This is because crab apples are not always palatable. In fact, crab apples are usually simply not eaten because they can be extremely sour or spongy in texture. Those that come from the Dalgo and Centennial trees are considered the most edible. Crab apples, like most fruit, have been bred through time for different purposes.
Are crab apples safe to eat?
Cyanide is a toxic substance. However, the amounts of cyanogenic glycoside in crab apple seeds is minimal. You would have to eat a lot of these seeds to see any ill effects, so swallowing one or a couple on accident won’t be cause for concern (2). summary Crab apples are essentially little apples and safe to eat.