Dianthus MicroFlowers™ (2024)

Description/Taste

Micro Dianthus™ is small in size, measuring 2 to 3 centimeters in diameter, and is comprised of five petals arranged in a saucer-like shape surrounding a cluster of colored stamens, which extend from the center of the flower. Micro Dianthus™ comes in a variety of vibrant hues, ranging from white to deep purple, and some flowers showcase a darker linear section in the center of each petal, creating a ring. The flowers have a wrinkled texture and fringed petals, developing a jagged appearance along the petal’s edge. The flowers also have a sweet and spiced flavor with warm notes of clove and a slightly bitter nuance held in the base of the flower.

Seasons/Availability

Micro Dianthus™ is available year-round.

Current Facts

Micro Dianthus™ is a mixture of small, edible flowers that are a part of a trademarked line of specialty MicroFlowers™ grown by Fresh Origins Farm in San Diego, California. Micro Dianthus™ is one of Fresh Origin Farm’s most popular innovations and was designed to complement their extensive line of microgreens. The miniature flowers are generally smaller than a quarter and offer various flavors, vivacious colors, shapes, and textures to elevate culinary and mixology experiences. Dianthus refers to a genus of annual, biennial, and perennial plants containing approximately 300 species distributed in Asia, Europe, and Africa, with the most popular variety being carnations. The small size and vibrant color of Micro Dianthus™ can add dimension to entrees, desserts, and co*cktails.

Nutritional Value

Varieties of Dianthus flowers have been used for centuries to calm the nervous system and reduce inflammation and swelling. The volatile oils contained in the flowers are also used to treat toothaches and relieve gas. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dianthus flowers have been infused into treatments to cleanse the digestive tract of parasites and are processed into an essential oil as a topical treatment for rashes, acne, and other skin irritations.

Applications

Micro Dianthus™ is best suited as an edible accent, added at the end of preparation to maintain the flower’s delicate shape and texture. The entire flower is edible and can be used whole, or the petals can be separated and spread throughout the dish. Micro Dianthus™ can be sprinkled over salads, floated over soups and curries, placed into fruit bowls, or used as a garnish for sushi and sashimi. The flowers can also be used to decorate seafood dishes such as calamari, ceviche, and shrimp co*cktail, or strategically placed on pasta, seafood, sandwiches, appetizers, and other main plates for added aesthetic. In addition to using the flowers in their natural form, the blooms can be frozen into ice cubes to add color and flavor to a beverage, wrapped into fresh spring rolls, or they can be pressed into cookies and soft cheeses for an elevated appearance. Micro Dianthus™ can also be used to accent desserts such as cakes, scones, sorbets, crème brulee, cookies, puddings, and tarts, or they can be used as a garnish in craft co*cktails. Micro Dianthus™ pairs well with chocolate, fruits such as coconut, strawberries, lemons, passionfruit, mango, and cherries, herbs including lavender, parsley, and mint, cheeses such as goat, brie, and blue, leafy greens, and springtime vegetables, including asparagus, peas, green garlic, and fava beans. Whole MicroFlowers™ should be used immediately for the best quality and flower and will keep 2 to 4 days when stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

Ethnic/Cultural Info

Dianthus flowers are one of 130 ingredients found in the French Liqueur, Chartreuse. This pale green liqueur, once dubbed the “Elixir of Life,” was created by monks at the Monastery of Grande Chartreuse in the early 17th century. The original recipe, which consisted of a complex blend of over 100 herbs and plants, was found in a manuscript belonging to a military marshal and was believed to have originated from a 16th-century alchemist. The tonic was initially meant to be used medicinally for various ailments; however, as the tonic spread throughout France, it grew in popularity as an alcoholic beverage. Seeing an opportunity, the monks adapted the elixir recipe in 1764 to create a milder version that could be marketed more widely. This variety is known as Green Chartreuse today. The monks of the Chartreuse Monastery kept their recipe a secret and were the only ones to distill the liqueur until 1903, when the French government nationalized the distillery and sold the trademark to a group of distillers. Eventually, money was raised to buy back the trademark, and today, Chartreuse is again only brewed by the monastery, helping the monks maintain their prayer and meditation lifestyle. The popularity of Chartreuse has grown immensely in the past decade, as has the popularity of prohibition-era craft co*cktails. Micro Dianthus™ is the perfect garnish for a co*cktail utilizing this centuries-old liqueur that features Dianthus flowers in its carefully crafted recipe.

Geography/History

Dianthus is one of the oldest cultivated flowers globally and is believed to be native to the Mediterranean region. The flowers were enjoyed by ancient civilizations for their pleasing appearance, aroma, and medicinal purposes. Dianthus can thrive in almost any climate and can be found growing wild on the sides of mountains, in grasslands, and on forest margins. Micro Dianthus™ was developed at Fresh Origins Farm in San Diego, California, the leading American producer of naturally grown microgreens and edible flowers since the mid-1990s. Fresh Origins grows over 60 varieties of edible flowers and uses the mild and sunny Southern California climate year-round to produce flavorful, attractive, safe, and quality blooms. Fresh Origins also has the highest level third-party-audited food safety program and is a certified member of the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement, which follows science-based food safety practices to promote transparency and honesty in production. Micro Dianthus™ can be found through select distribution partners of Fresh Origins across the United States and Canada.

Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.

the other 15...

Recipes that include Dianthus MicroFlowers™. One is easiest, three is harder.

Camille Styles

Micro Beet of the Night, Edible flowers and Lemon Juice Zing