Sparkler Tops™
Estimated Inventory, 50 ct : 0
This item was last sold on : 10/07/24
Grower
Flowers Sparkler Tops™ are medium in size, measuring approximately 5 to 7 centimeters, with a compacted crested head that comes in a variety of bright red and pink hues. The florets arrange in a sturdy, ribboned shape that resembles coral and are attached to a firm, green pedicel. Flowers Sparkler Tops™ have no fragrance and a mildly sweet flavor with nutty vegetal notes reminiscent of spinach.
Flowers Sparkler Tops™ are available year-round.
Flowers Sparkler Tops™ are edible flowers that are a part of a trademarked line of specialty flowers grown by Fresh Origins Farm in San Diego, California. Fresh Origins grows over 60 varieties of edible flowers designed to complement their extensive line of Micro and Petite® Greens. These stunning flowers are harvested from crested cockscomb, botanically classified as Celosia cristata, a perennial flower in the amaranth family. Celosia cristata flowers are also known as wool flowers because their densely arranged plumage resembles puffs of wool, a rooster’s crest, or brightly colored coral. Amaranth plants are entirely edible and are used in various cultures for their greens, flowers, and roots. Flowers Sparkler Tops™ are highly durable and can be used to enhance the flavor and appearance of any entrée, dessert, or beverage. Fresh Origins also offers Sparkler flowers with the stems attached for a unique visual presentation.
Flowers Sparkler Tops™ are rich in many vitamins, including vitamin C, vitamin K, and vitamin A, nutrients that are important to vision, cell development, reproduction, and the immune system. The flowers also contain a variety of minerals, including iron, potassium, calcium, and phosphorus, a nutrient that plays an essential role in how the body stores and uses energy and helps to filter waste from the kidneys. Flowers Sparkler Tops™ also contain antioxidants that help to reduce inflammation and fight free radicals.
Flowers Sparkler Tops™ are best suited as an edible accent, added at the end of preparation to maintain the flower’s delicate shape and texture. The entire flower is edible and can be used whole to create a stunning presentation, or the petals can be separated and spread throughout the dish. The flowers can be sprinkled over salads, floated over soups and curries, placed into fruit bowls, or used as a garnish for sushi and sashimi. The flowers can also be used to decorate seafood dishes such as calamari, ceviche, and shrimp cocktail, or strategically placed on pasta, seafood, sandwiches, appetizers, and other main plates for added aesthetic. Flowers Sparkler Tops™ can also be used to accent desserts such as cakes, scones, sorbets, crème brulee, cookies, puddings, and tarts, or they can be used as a garnish in craft cocktails. The flowers have a mild flavor that pairs easily with a variety of ingredients, including bacon, ham, poultry, anchovies, garlic, onion, sesame seeds, soy sauce, lemon, mushrooms, oregano, dill, cumin, goat cheese, parmesan, ricotta, mustard, walnuts, as well as chocolate, fruits such as coconut, strawberries, lemons, passionfruit, mango, and cherries, herbs including lavender, parsley, and mint, and soft cheeses like goat and brie. Flowers Sparkler Tops™ should be used immediately for the best quality and flavor and will keep 3 to 5 days when stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
While the plumes of the Celosia cristata are stunning, they are also a low seed-producing flower, making it harder to survive in natural environments. This low-seed production almost led to the extinction of crested cockscomb amaranth. The unique blooms were saved by Burmese, Chinese, and Indian gardeners who began planting the flowers in gardens near temples. The flowers held religious significance in the regions and were used to create ornate mala, or garlands, to decorate the face of the elephant-faced god Ganesha in the Hindu religion. These malas are also given as gifts during courting rituals and marriage ceremonies, during which a bride will place a garland around her groom to show that she has chosen her partner.
Celosia crestata is originally native to India. The plant was spread to the highlands of East Africa, where it is known as ‘mfungu’ in Swahili, and into the Mediterranean region where it received the name keleos in Ancient Greece, meaning burning, to describe the unique appearance of the flowers. The flowers were spread throughout Europe along trade routes and into North and South America with colonists. Celosia flowers became a staple in colonial gardens, allowing the plants to naturalize in the dry, rocky regions of the region. Although the flowers thrive in these regions, they are not widespread due to low seed production in natural environments. Flowers Sparkler Tops™ were developed by Fresh Origins Farm, located in San Marcos, California. Fresh Origins grows over 60 varieties of edible flowers and uses the mild and sunny Southern California climate year-round to produce flavorful, attractive, safe, and quality blooms. Flowers Sparkler Tops™ can be found through select distribution partners of Fresh Origins across the United States and Canada.
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Description/Taste
Flowers Sparkler Tops™ are medium in size, measuring approximately 5 to 7 centimeters, with a compacted crested head that comes in a variety of bright red and pink hues. The florets arrange in a sturdy, ribboned shape that resembles coral and are attached to a firm, green pedicel. Flowers Sparkler Tops™ have no fragrance and a mildly sweet flavor with nutty vegetal notes reminiscent of spinach.
Seasons/Availability
Flowers Sparkler Tops™ are available year-round.
Current Facts
Flowers Sparkler Tops™ are edible flowers that are a part of a trademarked line of specialty flowers grown by Fresh Origins Farm in San Diego, California. Fresh Origins grows over 60 varieties of edible flowers designed to complement their extensive line of Micro and Petite® Greens. These stunning flowers are harvested from crested cockscomb, botanically classified as Celosia cristata, a perennial flower in the amaranth family. Celosia cristata flowers are also known as wool flowers because their densely arranged plumage resembles puffs of wool, a rooster’s crest, or brightly colored coral. Amaranth plants are entirely edible and are used in various cultures for their greens, flowers, and roots. Flowers Sparkler Tops™ are highly durable and can be used to enhance the flavor and appearance of any entrée, dessert, or beverage. Fresh Origins also offers Sparkler flowers with the stems attached for a unique visual presentation.
Nutritional Value
Flowers Sparkler Tops™ are rich in many vitamins, including vitamin C, vitamin K, and vitamin A, nutrients that are important to vision, cell development, reproduction, and the immune system. The flowers also contain a variety of minerals, including iron, potassium, calcium, and phosphorus, a nutrient that plays an essential role in how the body stores and uses energy and helps to filter waste from the kidneys. Flowers Sparkler Tops™ also contain antioxidants that help to reduce inflammation and fight free radicals.
Applications
Flowers Sparkler Tops™ are best suited as an edible accent, added at the end of preparation to maintain the flower’s delicate shape and texture. The entire flower is edible and can be used whole to create a stunning presentation, or the petals can be separated and spread throughout the dish. The flowers can be sprinkled over salads, floated over soups and curries, placed into fruit bowls, or used as a garnish for sushi and sashimi. The flowers can also be used to decorate seafood dishes such as calamari, ceviche, and shrimp cocktail, or strategically placed on pasta, seafood, sandwiches, appetizers, and other main plates for added aesthetic. Flowers Sparkler Tops™ can also be used to accent desserts such as cakes, scones, sorbets, crème brulee, cookies, puddings, and tarts, or they can be used as a garnish in craft cocktails. The flowers have a mild flavor that pairs easily with a variety of ingredients, including bacon, ham, poultry, anchovies, garlic, onion, sesame seeds, soy sauce, lemon, mushrooms, oregano, dill, cumin, goat cheese, parmesan, ricotta, mustard, walnuts, as well as chocolate, fruits such as coconut, strawberries, lemons, passionfruit, mango, and cherries, herbs including lavender, parsley, and mint, and soft cheeses like goat and brie. Flowers Sparkler Tops™ should be used immediately for the best quality and flavor and will keep 3 to 5 days when stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
While the plumes of the Celosia cristata are stunning, they are also a low seed-producing flower, making it harder to survive in natural environments. This low-seed production almost led to the extinction of crested cockscomb amaranth. The unique blooms were saved by Burmese, Chinese, and Indian gardeners who began planting the flowers in gardens near temples. The flowers held religious significance in the regions and were used to create ornate mala, or garlands, to decorate the face of the elephant-faced god Ganesha in the Hindu religion. These malas are also given as gifts during courting rituals and marriage ceremonies, during which a bride will place a garland around her groom to show that she has chosen her partner.
Geography/History
Celosia crestata is originally native to India. The plant was spread to the highlands of East Africa, where it is known as ‘mfungu’ in Swahili, and into the Mediterranean region where it received the name keleos in Ancient Greece, meaning burning, to describe the unique appearance of the flowers. The flowers were spread throughout Europe along trade routes and into North and South America with colonists. Celosia flowers became a staple in colonial gardens, allowing the plants to naturalize in the dry, rocky regions of the region. Although the flowers thrive in these regions, they are not widespread due to low seed production in natural environments. Flowers Sparkler Tops™ were developed by Fresh Origins Farm, located in San Marcos, California. Fresh Origins grows over 60 varieties of edible flowers and uses the mild and sunny Southern California climate year-round to produce flavorful, attractive, safe, and quality blooms. Flowers Sparkler Tops™ can be found through select distribution partners of Fresh Origins across the United States and Canada.
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