Crystalized Flowers

[oldjerry]

Seeing as the kitchen is presently about the limit of my mobility range I've decided to try out some stuff that 's always been on my wish list.I can do most of the cooking \baking stuff,but I once remember seeing a lady in Cornwall crystalizing violets( I'd done a long project on growing and marketing violets commercially at Rosewarne,and it was part of that.)Strikes me this would be an interesting thing to have a bash at.
I've found loads of 'how to' stuff on line,but being a bit wary ,I was wondering if anyone had any hands on experience\tips...if not I'll tell you how I get on.
It seems to me the flowers will have to be very fresh,so I was thinking begin with say primroses in a month or so and then progress through the season.Also ,many of the recipes are american and use 'cup' as a measure whats that translate to over here? ta everyone.....

[JuzaMum]

Hi Jerry

I believe a cup is 8oz, that is what I use when I convert from American recipes to English. They have a strange way (to me) of using measuring cups for cooking so it would be 8oz for stuff like sugar but a cup of marshmallows would weigh considerably less!
Be careful though, when I was temporarily housebound my husband put on a stone due to me being stuck in the kitchen.
Sorry can't help with the flowers but good luck anyway

JuzaMum

[Davie Crockett]

My ex wife used to crystallise flowers for cake decorating purposes. From memory, she used to "Paint" the flower with egg white and then shake caster sugar over them and then leave them to dry on silicone paper.

The sugar/egg forms a rigid scaffold which holds the flower in shape. She used pansies, violets, winter flowering jasmine and even narcissi for an Easter cake.

[Susie]

Also ,many of the recipes are american and use 'cup' as a measure whats that translate to over here? ta everyone.....

Could you just use any cup? I think the only point is to measure by volume and keep the proportions correct (unless you're doing a cake or something that's supposed to fit in a certain tin). I've got an american measuring cup (cheap from somewhere or other) and it's about the same size as a small mug. I'd send it to you as we don't use it, however since we had a new washer which I didn't measure for properly, I can't open the drawer it's in wide enough to get it out (I have to slide my hand in to extract cutlery). Yet another useful lesson I have learned in life. (Measure first).

[wabbit955]

do these a lot in work mainly rose petals
it as simple as brushing with egg white dipping in sugar
leaving to dry out
i always dry out in oven at 80 c
and put egg white on with fingers find it a lot quicker than paint brush

[Green Aura]

I think an American cup measure is 225ml and UK is 250ml but it might be the other way round. As someone said above it shouldn't be a problem what cup you use as long as you use the same measure for everything.

The only time it becomes a problem is if you have to add something fairly standard like an egg, then you may have to adjust other liquids to make sure it's the right consistency. And cooking times too if your cup is vastly different.

[oldjerry]

Thanks everyone,there wont be many primroses round here for anyone to look at! Thanks also for the 'cup' stuff I think some times it seems to be used as a measure of volume,and others as a measure of weight bit confusing.Still,this is a project that's got legs,if I can work out how to put photos on here (bit nearer the time) I'll display the products of my labour(especially if they're crap,cos that's much more fun).

[Marmalady]

cups --> weight

here's a handy chart for converting cups to either grams or oz for just about any ingredient you might ever need:

http://www.recipes4us.co.uk/us_cups_to_weight.htm

As for crystallised flowers -- i too have done the egg white & caster sugsr and leave to dry method -- very simple

However if you want to crystallise your own fruits -- that is a much more complicated process involving sugar syrup of the correct strentgh -- and several lots of boiling up and drying in the oven etc

[oldjerry]

Marmalady,many thanks for that which I'll print off and stick on the fridge,and I'm encouraged by the 'very simple'!

[Millymollymandy]

Great link - but do they really measure buffalo and brussel sprouts in cups?

Oldjerry - are you in Italy now? You haven't told us anything about your move and how it's all going.

[Marmalady]

Great link - but do they really measure buffalo and brussel sprouts in cups?

Yes -- everything is measured in cups

Most Anericans do not possess kitchen scales

(and in case anyone comes across it, a "stick" of butter is about 4 oz)