Yes, you can eat tea rose. Tea roses, like all roses, are edible.
Roses have a long history of culinary use, and the petals and buds of various rose species, including tea roses, are widely recognized as safe for consumption. As confirmed by sources, "All roses are edible and can be used in tea" (1). This means the beautiful and often fragrant petals of tea roses are perfectly fine to incorporate into your diet, particularly in beverages and dishes where their unique aroma and flavour can shine.
Edibility of Tea Roses
The edibility of tea roses stems from the general edibility of the Rosa genus. While all roses are considered edible, their taste can vary significantly from one variety to another. Some roses offer a sweet, slightly fruity flavour, while others can be more bitter or intensely floral. This variation in taste is mentioned in the reference, noting that "some varieties are sweet while others are more bitter" (1). Tea roses, known for their lovely fragrance, typically offer a pleasant flavour suitable for culinary applications.
It's crucial, however, to ensure that any roses you intend to eat have not been treated with pesticides or other harmful chemicals. Only consume roses that have been grown organically or specifically for culinary use.
Using Tea Roses in the Kitchen
The most common culinary application for roses, including tea roses, is in beverages and sweets. The fragrant petals are the primary part used.
Here are a few ways tea rose petals can be enjoyed:
- Rose Tea: This is a popular and straightforward method. Rose tea is an aromatic herbal beverage made from the fragrant petals and buds of rose flowers. (Reference mentions this: "Rose tea is an aromatic herbal beverage made from the fragrant petals and buds of rose flowers.") (1)
- Edible Garnish: Fresh, clean tea rose petals can be used to decorate cakes, pastries, salads, and drinks.
- Rose Water/Syrup: Petals can be steeped or distilled to create rose water or boiled with sugar and water to make rose syrup, used in drinks, desserts, and Middle Eastern cuisine.
- Jams and Jellies: Rose petals can be incorporated into homemade jams or jellies for a unique floral flavour.
- Candied Petals: Petals can be coated in egg white and sugar and dried to create beautiful, edible decorations.
When using tea roses in cooking, always use fresh, clean petals and remove any bitter white part at the base of the petal before use.
Making Rose Tea
Making tea from tea rose petals is simple.
- Gather fresh, clean petals from organically grown tea roses.
- Use about 1-2 teaspoons of dried petals or 2-3 teaspoons of fresh petals per cup.
- Place the petals in a teacup or teapot.
- Pour hot (but not boiling) water over the petals.
- Let steep for 5-10 minutes, depending on desired strength.
- Strain out the petals and enjoy.
You can sweeten rose tea with honey or sugar, or mix it with other herbs like mint or chamomile.
In summary, tea roses are edible and safe to consume, especially when grown without chemicals. Their petals are versatile in the kitchen, particularly for making aromatic rose tea.
