Why Chives Flowers Are More than Just a Pretty Sight
This post is all about chives flowers.
Originally posted March 30, 2023
Updated May 17, 2025
Have you ever stopped to admire the delicate, purple blooms atop a chives plant? While they may make for a stunning addition to your garden, these flowers are more than just a pretty sight. In fact, they have numerous culinary uses that make them worth exploring. In this post, we’ll dive into the world of chives flowers and how you can incorporate them into your cooking. From recipes and harvesting tips to the pros and cons of letting them bloom, you’ll learn everything you need to know about this versatile and exciting ingredient. Since the initial posting, I’ve since added a sixth recipe.
This post is all about chives flower.
Table of Contents
Are Chives Flowers Edible? What You Need to Know
The simple answer: yes, absolutely! In fact the whole plant is edible. Not only are chives flowers visually pleasing, but they also add a delightful flavor to dishes. The flower itself has a light onion smell with an ever so slight floral smell. Of course this will depend on the type of chives you grow. When cooking with them, the flavor is subtler than that of the chive stems; however, they still add a unique touch to any recipe. There are endless possibilities as an ingredient in recipes, from salads and soups to dips and dressings.
Since the flavor is more subtle, you might need to use a larger quantity of flowers to achieve the desired flavor. Additionally, when using chives flowers, it’s best to add them at the end of cooking to retain their flavor and color.
Let’s start cooking!
Cooking with Chives Flower: Recipes Ideas and Inspiration
Chives flower added to a recipe can add a delicate, yet sophisticated touch. Plus it’s a great conversation piece when serving it to guests!
Chives Flower Salad
For a simple yet flavorful salad, toss together mixed greens, chopped walnuts, crumbled goat cheese, and a handful of chives flowers. Drizzle with a lemon vinaigrette for a refreshing and tangy finish.
Chives Flower Recipe with Potatoes
Looking for a heartier dish? Add chopped chives flowers to a classic potato salad for a pop of color and subtle onion flavor. Or, use them as a garnish on top of your favorite soup or stew for a fresh and spring-like touch.
Chives Flower Appetizer
For a unique appetizer, mix together cream cheese, chopped chives flower, and minced garlic. Spread the mixture onto crostini or crackers for a tasty and elegant snack.
Chives Flower Beverages
Don’t be afraid to get creative with chives flowers – they can even be incorporated into cocktails! Add a few chives flowers to a gin and tonic or lavender lemonade for a floral and refreshing twist.
Now that you have some recipe inspiration, let’s delve into whether chives flowers are edible and what you need to know before using them in your cooking.
Chive Flower Sauce: A Delicious Way to Use Your Harvest
With a bountiful harvest of chive leaves, you may find yourself wondering what to do with all that flavor. Enter chive flower sauce, a delicious and easy-to-make condiment that’s perfect for adding a pop of flavor to any dish.
Ingredients and tools
- 1 cup of chives, chopped
- 1/2 cup of chives flowers
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of white wine vinegar
- salt
- pepper
- blender
Step-by-step process
To make chive flower sauce, simply combine 1 cup of chopped chives, 1/2 cup of chive flowers, 1/4 cup of olive oil, and 1 tablespoon of white wine vinegar in a blender. Blend until smooth, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
This versatile sauce can be used as a dipping sauce for vegetables or meats, as a topping for baked potatoes or grilled fish, or even as a salad dressing. The mild onion flavor of chives is complemented by the delicate sweetness of the flowers, making for a unique and tasty condiment that’s sure to impress.
Incorporating chive flower sauce into your cooking not only adds flavor to your meals but also celebrates your garden’s bounty. So go ahead and let those chive flowers bloom – they may just inspire your next culinary creation.
Ultimately, whether you choose to snip off your chive flower buds or let them bloom is a personal preference. But with the addition of chive flower sauce to your recipe arsenal, you can enjoy the benefits of both beauty and flavor from your chive plants.
Chives Flowers Vinegar
This is another super simple recipe and you only need two ingredients – chives flowers and any vinegar of your choice. I used just regular white vinegar since that’s what I had on hand.
What you’ll need
- Mason jar
- water
- somewhere to dry the flowers
- vinegar
- chives flowers
How to Make the Vinegar
After harvesting your flowers, thoroughly wash and soak the flowers. I don’t really use anything in my garden, unless absolutely necessary, so there will definitely be little bugs. Put the flowers somewhere to air dry them. I put mine on a plate with a paper towel to absorb the moisture. Once they’ve dried, put them in a mason jar. Fill the mason jar with vinegar, making sure the flowers are fully submerged. Put the lid on. Let the vinegar sit for 1 week in a cool dark place, shaking the jar every 2 days.
After the vinegar has sat for a week, strain the flowers out of the vinegar and then bottle the liquid. This recipe can keep up to 6 months, if properly stored.
Harvest Chive Flowers
For maintenance of your chives out in the garden, aim to harvest chives up to 4 times within the first year that they’re planted. The following year, you’ll be able to cut them back monthly. To properly harvest, cut the chives down all the way to the soil level. By cutting back the plant, it’ll prevent it from going to seed and encourage it to keep producing stems and flowers.
Harvesting Chives Seeds: Tips for Success
If you want to ensure a plentiful supply of chives, harvesting their seeds is a great way to go. The seeds are easy to collect and store, and they can be used to grow new plants. Here are some tips to help you harvest chives seeds successfully:
1. Allow the flowers to fully bloom: Wait until the flowers have turned brown and started to dry up before collecting the seeds. This may take several weeks after the flowers have bloomed.
2. Remove the seeds: Once the flowers have dried out, gently rub them between your fingers to remove the seeds. You can also use a paper bag to catch the seeds as you crush the flowers.
3. Store the seeds: Place the seeds in a small, airtight container and store them in a cool, dry location. Label the container with the date and type of seed to avoid confusion.
By following these simple tips, you’ll be able to harvest chives seeds successfully and enjoy a bountiful crop for years to come.
Should You Let Chives Flowers Bloom? Pros and Cons
While it may be tempting to let your chives flowers bloom for their ornamental beauty, there are both pros and cons to consider. On the positive side, the flowers attract pollinators to your garden, which can benefit the overall health and productivity of your plants. Additionally, the flowers themselves are edible and can add a pop of color and flavor to salads and other dishes.
However, allowing your chives to bloom can also lead to a decrease in the overall harvest of the actual chives. The plant’s energy is directed towards producing flowers, rather than foliage, resulting in fewer leaves for culinary use. Additionally, if left unchecked, chives flowers can self-seed and spread rapidly, potentially becoming invasive in your garden.
Ultimately, the decision to let your chives flowers bloom comes down to personal preference and the intended use of your plants. If you prioritize culinary use and a bountiful harvest of chive leaves, it may be best to snip off the flower buds as they appear. If you enjoy the beauty and benefits of pollinators in your garden, allowing your chives flowers to bloom may be worth the sacrifice of some foliage. Regardless of your choice, chives are a versatile and rewarding addition to any herb garden.
Conclusion
In conclusion, chives flowers offer more than just color and beauty to your garden. They are a culinary delight that can be used in a variety of dishes to enhance both flavor and presentation. From chive flower sauce to harvesting seeds, we’ve explored the numerous ways to incorporate chives flowers into your cooking. So why not add these delicate blooms to your next recipe or let them bloom in your garden? As the saying goes, “variety is the spice of life,” and chives flowers certainly add spice to any dish. Don’t miss out on the versatility and excitement that these flowers offer. Give them a try, and let them add flavor, texture, and beauty to your next culinary adventure.
This post was all about chives flower.
