Americans continue to enjoy elegant fine-dining experiences. Over the past year, even more Americans have been enjoying meals in upscale restaurants, a 3% increase from the previous year.
The upscale segment of the restaurant industry makes up approximately 10% of restaurant sales. The average meal in a fine dining establishment costs $28.55 per person. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, households with incomes of $100,000 or higher are responsible for 36% of the total spending on food away from home.
In addition to dining out, some upscale Americans may choose to hire caterers for their special celebrations. Anniversaries, birthdays, and weddings are often held in the privacy and comfort of home. While it’s important to consider decor as well as overall ambiance, the menu is usually central to these events. To add an air of elegance to the occasion, crystallized edible flowers are an excellent choice.
The art of crystallized flowers has a long culinary tradition. There are perhaps 100 varieties of edible flowers, including the genus viola, which includes violets, violas, and pansies. All of these have beautiful, multi-colored edible flower petals which can enhance a dish’s flavor and appearance.
When considering a dish’s presentation, or plating, it is helpful to know that children prefer six food colors and seven different food selections. Adults, however, tend to prefer three colors and three food selections.
Since the crystallized viola comes in a variety of exquisite colors, they offer an added visual and culinary appeal. In addition to deep purple and golden yellow, crystallized viola can be found in other hues such as lilac and white.
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One use for crystallized viola is with desserts. These sugar flowers can rest atop cupcakes, Birthday cakes, and multi-tiered wedding cakes. They can also be placed on individual serving plates for added elegance.
Another use for edible blossoms is with beverages. Imagine how much more beautiful a signature cocktail, glass of champagne or sparkling water will be with a beautiful flower floating on top. Children may also enjoy them in a festive punch or milkshake.
Crystallized viola also make a flavorful addition to salads composed of other micro greens. Cold fruit soups are another dish where edible flowers make a lovely touch..
