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HEViolet season is here, and we’re all about that purple whimsy 💜
SAVE this recipe for the weekend!
Violets are a truly joyful way to engage with the season, and lucky for us, they’re quite prolific. Many species are edible, including the common blue violet (Viola sororia), native to the United States, Mexico, and Canada, and sweet violet (V. odorata), native to Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Violets can be found growing in lawns and meadows, as well as moist, shady spots.
Both the leaves and flowers are beneficial. Early in the season, violet leaves have a mild, subtly sweet, and tender taste along with a mucilaginous nature that can be used to soothe tissues. Violet leaves are often applied for their cooling properties, particularly in support of the lymphatic system, respiratory tract, and skin.
🌈 Fun fact: violet flowers have fascinating color-changing properties! Their water-based infusions can act as a natural litmus test, shifting in color depending on the pH of the solution they are added to. It will turn magenta when exposed to acidic substances, like lemon juice, and greener in more alkaline conditions.
One of our favorite ways to enjoy violets is by making ice cubes 💜🧊
They can be added to water, lemonade, or any beverage to infuse your drinks with subtle floral flavor notes and the colorful energy of these flowers.
VIOLET ICE CUBES
🍃 1/2 cup fresh violet (Viola spp.) flowers
🍃 1 cup water
✨ Remove violet petals from their calyx. This is optional, but it’s the trick for a more vibrant purple color!
✨ Place the petals in a heat-proof jar and cover with boiling water. Steep for 15-20 minutes, , allowing the water to take on a violet tint.
✨ Strain, transfer to ice cube molds, and freeze. You can toss some violet flowers in each cube for decoration.
Once frozen, you can use these colorful cubes in beverages with an acid, such as lemon juice, to experience their color-changing magic as they melt.
Are violets growing in your neck of the woods? How do you enjoy using them? 🥰
@herbalacademy
