Crab apple trees burst into bloom each spring, blanketing the landscape in delicate pink and white flowers. Their beauty captures the essence of the season But it also raises an interesting question – can you eat crab apple blossoms? Let’s take a closer look at the edibility and uses of these ornamental blooms
Crab apples belong to the genus Malus closely related to domestic apples. There are over 50 different crab apple species ranging from small shrubs to trees reaching 25 feet tall. The pendant branches bear glossy leaves and attractive blossoms that emerge from deep pink buds.
Native to Europe, crab apples still grow wild across the continent. In fact, some believe the crab apple is the ancestor of all cultivated apple varieties. The trees produce tiny, apple-like fruit about 1-2 inches wide. Crab apples are available in fall but are tastier after the first frost when they are picked.
Are Crab Apple Flowers Actually Edible?
The short answer is yes crab apple blossoms are completely edible. While traditionally grown as ornamentals the flowers can be safely consumed.
Crab apple blooms have a mildly sweet, floral taste. Unopened buds tend to be more flavorful than fully open flowers. The blossoms can be eaten fresh or preserved by drying or infusing into syrups.
However, there are some important safety precautions to consider before eating crab apple flowers:
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Allergy risk: Those with pollen allergies may react to eating the raw blossoms. Cooking the flowers may help reduce reactions.
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Pesticides: Avoid eating flowers potentially treated with chemicals. Grow your own blossoms or source organic.
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Digestive issues: Overeating the flowers may cause stomach discomfort. Consume in moderation.
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Heavy metals: Older urban trees can accumulate lead and other metals, so research the source.
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Washing: Clean the blossoms thoroughly to remove debris and bugs. Gently pat dry.
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Children: Crab apple flowers present a potential choking hazard and are not recommended for young kids.
Exercising caution with sourcing and consumption is advised. When in doubt, avoid eating crab apple blossoms in large quantities.
Creative Ways to Safely Enjoy Crab Apple Flowers
For those interested in their edibility, here are some recommended ways to enjoy crab apple blooms:
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Infuse into simple syrups for cocktails, beverages, or desserts.
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Craft floral jellies, vinegars, sugars, sea salts, butters or honeys.
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Make teas using the petals or use as a drink garnish.
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Create crab apple blossom water as a unique ingredient.
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Gently incorporate into salads or use as a cake topper.
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Candy or crystallize the edible blossoms.
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Use as natural food dyes depending on the flower 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.
Harvesting and Preparing Crab Apple Blooms
Follow these tips 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. Avoid wilted or damaged blooms.
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Use scissors for a clean cut rather than pulling off flowers.
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Gently wash and thoroughly pat dry with paper towels before use.
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Use the blossoms immediately or store chilled for up to 1 day.
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Pull out pistils and stamens before eating raw.
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Sugar can help reduce bitterness if eating the flowers raw.
Storing Crab Apple Blossoms by Drying or Freezing
To extend the use of crab apple blossoms, try drying or freezing them:
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Air dry blossoms on mesh racks or by hanging bundles in a warm, dark place.
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Oven dry at the lowest setting, monitoring closely to prevent scorching.
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Freeze either whole flowers or separated petals spread on a sheet pan.
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Package dried or frozen blossoms in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
The Verdict on Consuming Crab Apple Blooms
While crab apple blossoms can be safely eaten and provide creative options for adventurous cooks, exercise safety. Only consume flowers from trees you know haven’t been chemically treated. Introduce them gradually in small amounts and monitor your tolerance.
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. These blossoms may be best admired outside rather than inside the body!
Habitat and distribution
Usually found in hedgerows, woods, and rocky areas, but it may also be grown as an ornamental plant.
Parts used for food
Fruit, flowers and leaves
You can pick the leaves and flowers in April and May, the leaves perhaps earlier, to make tea or frosted decorations. The apples should be picked after the first frost in autumn, perhaps around October to November time.
Can be used as a substitute for any apple variety in a recipe, as long as the fruit is chosen well (pick a good-looking specimen), harvested at the right time, and preferably cooked rather than eaten raw in a dish or as a snack.
Crab apple makes surprisingly good jams and jellies, and the fruit’s high pectin content means it helps set other low-pectin fruits such as strawberries into jam.
You can mix crab apple with wild fruits to make jellies such as rowanberries, rosehips, hawthorn and sloes. They also make pleasant fruit cheeses mixed with blackberries or other fruits.
Verjuice, made from crushed crab apple, is sometimes described as a ‘cider’ or ‘vinegar’, which can be used as a substitute for lemon juice when strained and left for a month. Cooks may use this ‘lemon juice’ in jellies, wines and cider, and, in combination with blackberry, a mousse and pudding.
Crab apple is high in vitamin C. Nutritionally, most apples contain a high percentage of water from 80 to 85 per cent. The remaining 10 to 15 per cent are starches and sugars, and various other constituents. Despite their high water content, apples are rich in vitamins and are classed as an essential anti-scorbutic fruit for relieving scurvy, as well as containing organic acids, malic acid, gallic acid and various salts of potash, soda, lime, magnesium and iron.
Flowering Crabapple – Edible Crabapple Fruit – Flowering Crab Apple – Malus species
FAQ
Is the flowering crab apple edible?
Because crabapples are so rarely eaten, a lot of people think they’re poisonous. That’s not the case, however – just like larger apples, they’re perfectly edible as long as you don’t eat the core and seeds.
Can a human eat crabapple?
Many people are surprised to hear that crab apples are edible straight from the tree. And there are eight major species of crab apples.Apr 6, 2023
What is the crab apple flower used for?
Crab Apple is the “Bach Flower cleansing” of the mind and body, recommended for those who feel unclean and feel the loathing of themselves. This can manifest as a obsession, for example, always cleaning, washing hands frequently, or an obsession about insignificant things.
Is it safe to eat crab apples off the tree?