Gardenia

Gardenia jasminoides · Edible flower

40 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 freshPull 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.Everyday best

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

What to look for, from food-grade bloom, just opened to bruised brown, buff and slack.

Preparing