This trend went from bud to blossom overnight, and we don't see it dying anytime soon. That's right, you've seen them move from fancy Michelin star plates to your local Whole Foods - we're talking about edible flowers in all their fragrant forms.
Fashion You Can Eat
Purewow cites florals as one of the hottest patterns to wear in 2018. Tangentially, we are seeing fashionable plates being served up with a side of flowers as this trend is now manifesting itself on our plates. "Food, like fashion, is driven by trends, seasonality and the occasional gust of hype," said food writer Lee Tran Lam in Australian Vogue.
Flower Distillation
Now that it has successfully moved into its second phase, we are seeing products turning flowers from their original form into everything from granola to popsicles. A few of the fun flavors we've seen so far are lavender, elderflower, hibiscus, orange blossom, rose, violet, and even nasturtium. These unique flavors are not only limited to Parisian macarons or St. Germain, they're eve starting to blossom into more mainstream products too.
You're Turning Violet
Pantone declared violet the color of the year for 2018 (Ultra Violet 18-3838, to be precise). Supposedly, it communicates originality, ingenuity and visionary thinking that points us toward the future. We are seeing this rich color pop up in grocery stores and recipes in the form of asparagus, cauliflower, figs, and, of course, lavender itself. These foods are more than just a pretty face. Scientists believe anthocyanins, the compound that gives purple foods their color, can help absorb free radicals and reduce blood pressure.
What This Means for Brands
The purple haze is here, and now is the time to start incorporation purple accents in photo shoots - extra points for including actual flowers. Edible flowers don't have to be limited to just salad toppers though. Freeze them into ice cubes, incorporate them into cookies and even use them to garnish your next smoothie bowl. Incorporating blooms into your next brand recipe can help communicate the healthfulness and freshness of your product. So, get out there and cultivate your brand. With flowers, of course.