Chive blossom

Allium schoenoprasum · Edible flower

40 pairings

The chive blossom is the edible flower head of the common chive (Allium schoenoprasum), a round lavender-to-pink pompom that opens atop hollow grass-like stalks in late spring. Mildly oniony and faintly sweet, the florets are scattered over salads and eggs, steeped into pink chive-blossom vinegar, and used as a garnish.

Picking a good onedrag

Buds just splitting, standing upPapery and browned, stems slimy

Open pompomFlorets scattered over salad, eggs, potatoes or soft cheese, or whole heads steeped in white wine vinegar, which they tint a clear rose-pink.Everyday best

Where it came fromA herb grower who sells it to eat, unsprayed

The headOpen pompom, florets full and bright

Press the pompomSofter, a little slow to spring back

The scapeStem firm, cut end drying pale

Smell at the headOnion clear, the sweetness quieter

What to look for, from buds just splitting, standing up to papery and browned, stems slimy.

Preparing