Cornflower Petals - Blue

Cornflower is an annual plant in the daisy family noted for its vibrant blue-to-purple flowers owing to a blue pigment called protocyanin. It is so-named, because the plant tends to pop up in crop fields. Cornflower is native to Europe, but is now naturalized in other parts of the world, including North America and Australia.

Cornflower's beautiful blue hue, due to the pigment protocyanin, has made it popular as an ornamental flower, an edible blossom sometimes added to salads, dressings, baked goods, floral waters and a source of colorants for dyes, teas, and potpourris.

Blue Cornflower Petals are said to be beneficial for those people experiencing stress, anxiety, depression and other nervous system disorders. Blue cornflower tea is believed to support good digestion. They may also help in the treatment of urinary tract infection.

It is a tradition that Earl Grey Tea should have a smattering of Blue Cornflower Petals blended in with the bergamot infused tea leaves.

Appearance, aroma and taste profile: Bright blue flower petals. Lovely blue petals carry a neutral flavor and tend blue infusion. (Commonly used to provide color in tea blends)

Botanical Name: Centaurea cyanus

Common Names: Bachelor's Buttons, Blue Cap, Bluebottle, Blue-blow, Cyanus, Gogglebuster, Hurtsickle