Chive blossom
Allium schoenoprasum · Edible flower
Top 10 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 pompomEveryday bestFlorets scattered over salad, eggs, potatoes or soft cheese, or whole heads steeped in white wine vinegar, which they tint a clear rose-pink.
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