Can one eat pot marigolds?

[antipodes]

On the Graines de Baumaux site, they say that the calendula officinalis, or Pot Marigold (what is called here a "souci", or literally a worry flower) can be eaten! or at least the flowers and flower buds, for example to decorate salads. I grow an enormous amount of these, is this true? Anyone tried it?

[antipodes]

[grannyjanny]

I've just googled to confirm. Pot marigold is also known as poor mans saffron. It's spicy & gives a golden hue to foods. I think you can make a very good hand cream as well.

[Flighty]

The Vegetable and Herb Expert says...Pot marigolds were once quite widely grown as a vegetable, but the leaves have a bitter taste and this has declined. The flowers, heads or petals, can be used fresh as a herb to provide colour in salads, soups, egg dishes, etc.  Dried flowers can be crushed and used as a saffron subsitute to provide yellow colour and a little flavour in a variety of dishes.

I grow lots on the plot for the flowers!  :)

[antipodes]

Yes so do I, well they self seed actually, they grow like wildfire! The flowers are so pretty and they last for days in a vase.
Apparently you can use the petals in salads etc, there are still a few in bloom, I shall try some and see what it tastes like... Maybe like all things, to use the leaves, better get the small young ones.

I am going to dead head them, collect the seeds and try and give away as many as possible! Maybe I can persuade some of my allotment neighbours to grow some! I'll leave a container full in the communal shed!

[pigeonseed]

I've never eaten them, but I know they can be eaten - I think that's why they're called 'pot' marigold cos they go in the pot.

I didn't know about the colouring effect in cooked food - I will try that thanks!

[manicscousers]

I usethem for hand cream, good for small cuts and grazes  ;D

[pigeonseed]

what do you do - add them to aqueous cream or just smear flowers on your hands? (?? strangely destructive image!)

[manicscousers]

boil them up with beeswax and olive oil, seive and put in jars ;D

[saddad]

I have loads around the beds on the lottie but they get too much mildew about now so I tend to grub them out. Never tried eating them. Try safflower if you want to colour food.. much more interesting plant...  :-X

[pigeonseed]

safflower - just going to look it up...

... oh, yes I'd heard of the name but have never seen it, I don't think. I think pot marigolds look prettier, but safflower looks interesting.

Does the colour come out like saffron?

[CotswoldLass]

Petals  look lovely on salads! Do it!