Produce Briefs...
Calamondin Limes
The Calamondin lime, scientific name, X Citrofortunella mitis & Citrus microcarpa, is also known as the lime orange, Chinese orange or Calamondin orange.
Salanova® Lettuces
Salanova® lettuce is a full-sized variety developed for the baby lettuce market. Botanically these varieties are scientifically known as Lactuca sativa.
Pinkglow™ Pineapple
Pinkglow™ pineapples are small to medium fruits with an oval to cylindrical shape.
Orchid MicroFlowers™
Inventory, 100 ct : 6.00
This item was last sold on : 08/08/22
Description/Taste
Micro Orchids™ are tiny, delicate flowers averaging less than three centimeters in diameter and have an open, circular shape, around the same size as a quarter. Each flower is comprised of five flat, oval petals that are distinctly separated and b elongated, slightly tapered shape at the tips. The petal’s surface is also smooth, velvety, and soft. In the center of the flower, a tube-like structure contains the flower’s stamens and pistils and is capped with small, fringed petals. Micro Orchids™ appear in shades of bright red, orange, yellow, white, violet, pink, to purple, and the flowers are entirely edible with a crisp, succulent, and tender consistency. The colorful flowers also have a fresh, sweet, and subtly vegetal flavor with unique cucumber and watermelon nuances.
Seasons/Availability
Micro Orchids™ are available year-round.
Current Facts
Micro Orchids™ are small, edible flowers a part of a trademarked line of specialty MicroFlowers™ grown by Fresh Origins Farm in San Diego, California. MicroFlowers™ are one of Fresh Origin Farm’s most popular innovations, and the tiny blooms antirely edible, providing chefs with a modern garnish to enhance the dining experience. Micro Orchids™ were the first flowers selected for the MicroFlower™ line, and the blooms contribute vivacious colors, shapes, and textures to culinary dishixology. Micro Orchids™ are harvested at peak maturity to develop concentrated colors and flavors, and despite the flower’s delicate appearance, Micro Orchids™ are durable, able to be floated on drinks, soups, or placed on top of main courses. Theloom’s tiny size allows chefs to reimagine the way edible flowers are traditionally used in restaurants, elevating flowers into a sophisticated, contemporary accompaniment. Micro Orchids™ are unique and can be used whole as a garnish, sprinkled generously over preparations, or individual flowers can be selectively placed to make a colorful statement.
Nutritional Value
Micro Orchids™ have not been studied for their nutritional value. Like other edible flowers, Micro Orchids™ are a source of vitamins A and C, nutrients with antioxidant-like properties to strengthen the immune system, boost collagen production within the skin, and defend the cells against damage inflicted by external environmental aggressors. The flowers also contain anthocyanins, pigments that give the petals their colored appearance. These pigments are thought to have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, which can help lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and protect against disease.
Applications
Micro Orchids™ have a delicate, cucumber-watermelon-like flavor well suited as a garnish or edible accent. The flowers are somewhat sturdy, able to withstand liquids, but they should be added to drinks and culinary dishes at the end of the plating pross to avoid softening or wilting. Micro Orchids™ are entirely edible and can be sprinkled over salads, floated over chilled soups, scattered over fruit bowls and platters, or pressed into butter or soft cheeses as a colorful addition to charcuterie boards. The small blooms can also be utilized as a garnish for sushi and sashimi, wrapped into fresh spring rolls, mixed with microgreens and served with seafood, or individually placed on appetizers or fruit skewers as an attractive garnish. In addition tmall dishes, Micro Orchids™ can be used to enhance desserts, including crème brule, chocolate cake, pudding, and tarts, or they can be gently pressed into cookies for a whimsical touch. They can also be dusted with sugar or candied for additional s and texture. In mixology, Micro Orchids™ can be frozen into ice cubes as a festive element, floated over cocktails, tea, smoothies, and sparkling beverages, or gently attached to a stir stick. Micro Orchids™ pair well with fruits such as coconut, wermelon, strawberries, lemons, limes, apples, passionfruit, mango, and cherries, ginger, chocolate, lavender, mint, and cheeses such as brie, blue, goat, and feta. Whole MicroFlowers™ should be used immediately for the best quality and flavor and will keep for 2 to 5 days when stored in their clamshell in the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In Ancient Greece, orchids were a part of an unusual tradition of predicting the gender of babies. The Greeks were the first civilization to label the flowers as orchids, and the origin of the word orchid can be traced back to the cultural belief that orchids resembled a portion of the male anatomy. This connection led orchids to become vital flowers to consume during pregnancy. The Ancient Greeks believed that if a male consumed large orchid flowers during the pregnancy, it would influence the mother to bear a son. It was also believed that if the mother consumed smaller orchid flowers, it would encourage the body to create a daughter. This tradition was widely accepted and practiced in Ancient Greece, and often, the husband and wife would consume the different sized orchids simultaneously as a social game.
Geography/History
Micro Orchids™ were developed at Fresh Origins Farm in San Diego, California, the leading American producer of naturally grown microgreens and edible flowers since the mid-1990s. Fresh Origins has been using the mild Southern California climate to proce over sixty different types of robust, healthy, and flavorful edible flowers. Micro Orchids™ are grown year-round in greenhouses at Fresh Origins and are watered through drip irrigation. Once the flowers have reached maturity and peak freshness, theare packed and shipped immediately to provide chefs with quality edible ingredients. Today Micro Orchids™ can be found through select distribution partners of Fresh Origins across the United States, including Specialty Produce, and are also found through partners in Canada.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Cloak and Petal Bar | San Diego CA | 619-501-5505 |
| GoodOnYa | Encinitas CA | 949-295-3145 |
| Matsu | Oceanside CA | 760-717-5899 |
| Cove House | La Jolla CA | 858-999-0034 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Main | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| Smoking Gun | San Diego CA | 619-276-6700 |
| Bang Bang 2021 | San Diego CA | 619-382-8938 |
| Temari-Zushi | San Diego CA | 858-345-0059 |
| JSIX American restaurant & Bar | San Diego CA | 619-531-8744 |
| Lumi (Bar) | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
| Jeune Et Jolie | Carlsbad CA | 858-231-0862 |
| Sugar and Scribe | La Jolla CA | 858-274-1733 |
| Four Seasons Residence Club | Carlsbad CA | 760-603-6360 |
| La Costa Resort & Spa Main Kitchen | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-7063 |
| The Compass | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-1900 |
| Brigantine Pt Loma | San Diego CA | 619-224-2871 |
| Hotel Del Coronado Bakery | Coronado CA | 619-435-6611 |
| Herb & Wood | San Diego CA | 520-205-1288 |
| Carte Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-365-1858 |
| Polite Provisions | San Diego CA | 619-677-3784 |
| Panama 66 (Bar) | San Diego CA | 619-702-6373 |
| Poseidon on the Beach | Del Mar CA | 858-755-9345 |
