Gardenia
Gardenia jasminoides · Edible flower
Top 10 pairings
Gardenia is the thick, waxy, spiral-petalled white flower of Gardenia jasminoides, carrying one of the heaviest scents in the garden — creamy white-floral with a green, faintly mushroomy edge. In East Asia the plant earns its keep twice: the blossom scents tea and sweets, and the ripe fruit is a classic yellow food dye.
Picking a good onedrag
Food-grade bloom, just openedBruised brown, buff and slack
Shop freshEveryday bestPull the petals to scent green tea, syrup, honey or cream, or batter and fry them whole. Steep briefly and strain; wash gently, bag it, use it the same day.
PetalsCreamy white, a faint mark or two at the edge
The headStill firm, the outer whorl relaxing open
Calyx and cut endCalyx green, cut end drying pale
Smell at the bloomRich floral, the green top note fading