List of edible flowers in Indonesia: 34 species you can easily find in Indonesia

“Say it with a flower” for instance, or “the earth laughs in flowers”. Both are the example of phrases how we look flower daily. Indeed, the flower is one of the plant’s reproductive organs. With the attractive shapes and colors, actually, the flower is proof of the beautiful design of creation.  I try to make a list of edible flowers in Indonesia to complete the existing information.

Because of the beauty and colorful, flower known as an aesthetic element. Indonesian people, besides known as ornamental plants, also use flowers as food. Many plants actually have edible flowers. Here is a list of edible flowers:

some are common and others may still be strange

Below is a list of all the edible flowers that you can find in Indonesia. Although not all of them are flowers of cultivated plants, it is certain that the flowers below are a delicious food source.

There are some that are common and have been used as food for a long time. But some of them are flowers from wild plants, which you can only find in the forest. Some of the information is based on personal experience while traveling.

Below is the list Of Edible flowers in Indonesia

1. Papaya (Carica papaya)

Eating papaya flowers is common in Indonesia. Usually, the flower will be prepare by boiling or cooks mixed with other spices. The taste is a little bitter, but trust me, it is delicious.

2. Kecombrang (Etlingera elatior)

We can easily found Kecombrang in the wet and humid rain forest and close to the water. Plants grow as a colony and have bright red flowers. The flower can be Eaten raw as fresh vegetables, or by boiling it first. In fact, the northern Sumatra people use the flower as a spice for cooking fish

3. Turi (Sesbania glandiflora)

There are 2 types: red and white Turi. Both of them are edible. For instance, you can boil it to make it more delicious. Peoples who live in Java island, for example, they consume Turi flowers as vegetables. Become part of pecel (traditional salad). Slightly bitter taste, give peculiarities to the pecel itself

4. Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. Botrytis)

As an introduction plant in Indonesia, now we can easily found cauliflower. Both highland and lowland vegetable growing areas. serve by boiling it first, stir-fry, or mix it with several other spices in the recipes

5. Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. Italica)

One family with cabbage and cauliflower, but broccoli has a different taste and texture. We can eat it, similar to cauliflower. But of course, It depends on the person

6. Shallot(Allium cepa)

Can be eaten in fresh or mixed with soup

7. Genjer (Limnocharis flava)

usually grows wild in the ​​rice fields. Only a few people cultivate it. Commonly peoples eat genjer leaves, but the flowers are also very delicious to eat. it will be more delicious if we stir-fry or boiled first with some spices.

8. Banana flowers (Musa sp)

All types of bananas have edible flowers. But the best phase is when the banana flower has only just appeared on the top of the plant. Or is still on its stem. Why? because it is younger and we can get the more edible parts. We can boil or even roast the flower before served.

9. Turubuk (Saccharum edule)

Near to the sugar cane, but turubuk has flowers that are very delicious to eat. Turubuk flower cooks in a way by mixing with other spices and vegetables.

10. Sedap malam (Polianthes tuberosa)

If you go to South Sumatra, you will find Sedap Malam flowers in the Tekwan soup. Actually, you can eat the flower freshly or dried

11. Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata)

Pumpkin flowers are very delicious to eat. The flower deserves to include in the list of edible flowers because there are still few people who eat it.

12. Telang (Clitoria ternatea)

Traditionally, people use trapped dew water in the flower as an eye drops treatment. Telang flowers are edible. the fresh flower has a bit of sweet taste. Or you can make it as tea. and you will have blue color in your fresh Telang tea

13. Jasmine (Jasminum sambac)

Jasmine tea is the most common. Gives a fragrant on the tea and a lot of people around the world like it

14. Female cornflowers (Zea mays)

By Stir-fry, boil, or fresh, the taste is always yummy. The female flowers have a crisp, sweet, and fresh texture. We also can serve the flower with other vegetables

15. Melinjo (Gnetum gnemon)

The famous Sayur Asam is an example, that melinjo flower is already popular uses as daily food. you can find many recipes here

16. Roses (Rosa sp)

It may not popular to consume, but the corolla of roses actually is edible. It gives another aroma to your drinks. And the sweet taste can use as a garnish also in the foods

17. Rosella (Hibiscus sabdariffa)

Rosella flowers tea has a long history as herbal medicines. The petals can freshly consume. It was sour but delicious.

18. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

Not only beautiful, but young sunflower petals also delicious to eat. you can cook it using other spices or made it into a mixture in soup.

19. Hibiscus (Hibiscus sp)

In some areas, hibiscus flowers are mixed into salads

20. Zuchini (Cucurbita pepo)

One of the Cucurbitaceae family. Zucchini is generally eaten by its fruit. But actually, Zucchini female flowers are delicious also to eat. The flower can mix with other ingredients or stir-fry.

21. Begonia flowers (Begonia sp)

Actually not only the leaves. But Begonia flower also edible.  The taste is sour and fresh to eat. It feels crispy and smooth fibrous.

22. Carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus)

Carnation has a spice-like sensation, aromatic, and a bit sweet taste. And it makes suitable as a complement and garnishes in the salad menu

23. Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum sp)

Have you ever tried chrysanthemum tea? Yup. Chrysanthemum flower is very popular for tea. The taste of the tea is a bit bitter. But many people like it.

24. Dandelions (Taraxacum spp)

known well as herbal medicine to treat various diseases. Dandelion flowers contain high antioxidants and proven on preventing cancer and other diseases. Dandelions flower tea is very famous

25. Kenikir (Cosmos caudatus)

Young kenikir flowers are edible. Eat it alone or mix it with other vegetables. Kenikir flower has a strong and unique flavor, in fact, many people still like it. The flowers are generally cooked by stir-fry

26. Yard long bean (Vigna unguiculata)

Young yard long bean flowers can be eaten fresh, or also cook it first by stir-fry. Also, you can mix it with other vegetables.

27. Ketul (Biden pilosa)

The plants are well known as weeds and generally grow wild in rice fields or gardens. Actually, the flowers are edible. It can be eaten fresh or cooked first

28. Wild mustard (brassica rapa)

Wild mustard is one of the Cruciferaceae family.  It is easy to find because their unique shape is easily recognizable. We can eat it as a mix in our vegetables

29. Belimbingan (Oxalis barrelieri)

The flowers of Oxalis barrelieri are sour and fresh, but actually, we can eat them directly. The species are well known as a survival plant

30. Calincing/Wood sorrel (Oxalis corniculata)

even though in the same family, Calincing has a completely different shape compared to Oxalis barrelieri. Calincing is one of the survival plants. The flowers, leaves, and stems are edible.  it has a sour and fresh taste

31. Nangsi (Villebrunea rubescens)

Nangsi is generally found in moist rain forests. The flowers of Nangsi are green and numerous. When you are in the forest, It’s always nice to meet a flower. The taste is sweet and crunchy. Its species is a member of Urticaceae family

32. Basil (Ocimum Basilicum)

The flavor of young basil flowers is similar to the leaves and stems. Generally consumed as a mixture in salads

33. Lavender (Lavandula sp)

Lavender petals are usually used as a flavor enhancer in puddings, bread, drinks, and sauces

34. Maman (Cleome Rutidosperms)

Small flower shape. you can eat it together with the stems and leaves.

A list of edible flowers in Indonesia is good guidance if you willing to explore local foods