Mmmm ❀ the smell of plum blossoms feels like a welcoming into spring. Clouds of soft white blooms cover the trees, bringing the feeling of a fresh start & a new year.
The Prunus americana aka The American Plum is a small tree/shrub native to most of central & eastern North America. It grows wild throughout Colorado's foothills & along streams, blooming from March through mid April, ripening its fruit in the fall.
The plum blossoms are small & delicate, with 5 oval petals surrounding golden stamens at the center. Blossom color is a snowy white to soft pink. Their fragrance is sweet, floral, & a bit nutty. A scent that makes me wanna bury my face in the cloud of flowers!
Gather newly opened blooms when their fragrance is at its peak & before the older petals fall away with the gentlest touch. Use the blossoms the same day they're picked!
Remove all bits of leaves & stems before using them. They contain small amounts of naturally occurring poisonous compounds that can release hydrogen cyanide, so only the flowers & the fruit can be consumed.
Plum blossoms have been loved in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. The blossoms are commonly dried & added to herbal teas, where their floral flavor pairs beautifully with green, black, & white teas. Traditionally used to support relaxation & ease feelings of emotional & digestive tension associated with stress.
They are not a common culinary ingredient & mostly enjoyed as a garnish. However, I love their floral, nutty flavor & look forward to incorporating them into my desserts. My favorite & simplest way to enjoy plum blossoms is infusing them in water. Sprinkle blooms in a jar, cover with water, infuse overnight. Strain the next day & enjoy your pixie water!
Their floral flavor infuses well into cream, making them a great addition to cream based desserts. I use coconut cream since I am dairy free & it works great!...With that said, their flavor can be strong & distinct so a little goes a long way!
Some ways I have enjoyed plum blossoms:
Herbal green & white teas, infused water, haupia, chocolate pudding, gummies, mochi, pan fried sweet rice cakes, floral sugar, mead, ice cubes, garnish over anything & everything!
While plum blossoms themselves haven't been extensively studied, they may contain small amounts of some of the nutrients found in the fruit, including potassium, manganese, & B vitamins.
Either way, they are so angelic, so flavorful, & definitely to be enjoyed!
Slow down & savor the seasons ❀
