Produce Briefs...
French Beans
Tiny and tender, bright, green French beans are smaller than common green beans. French Beans are available year round with a peak season June, July and August.
French Breakfast Radish
This oblong heirloom radish's vibrant color graduates to a white tip. Very crisp, the lovely color makes it a popular favorite. Quaintly named, this variety is topped with bright greens and offers an excellent mildly sharp flavor.
Seasons/Availability
Pansie's are available year round, with a peak season in the spring.
Current Facts
Along with violets, pansies are a member of the genus Viola and part of the Violaceae family. There are over 400 species in the genus Viola, most of which have asymmetrical flowers.
Description/Taste
Velvety-textured and offering a slightly sweet flavor similar to wintergreen, the pansy blooms in a wide array of vibrant colors. Having a broad color spectrum for an annual, pansies can be yellow, white, red, orange, purple, pink, lavender, mahogany, blue, apricot or bronze. The flowers may be just a single color or can have two or three colors.
Applications
Pansies make an attractive addition to fruit, green and grain salads. They can be floated atop cold soups, added to salsa and chutney or minced and incorporated into butter or cream cheeses to make an attractive spread. Pansies can be used to add color and a subtle mint flavor to cocktails and teas. Most commonly they are used for ornamental purposed and can be used both candied and fresh atop ice cream, crème brule, tarts, cakes and other delicate pastries.
Geography/History
Members of the Viola genus including pansies are especially favored and cultivated in Europe. "Pansy" is derived from the French word "pensee" meaning thought or remembrance. The pansy plant we are familiar with today is said to have had its beginning in Iver, Buckinghamshire, England. Making their way to North America in the late 1800s, pansies quickly gained popularity.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Bertrand at Mr A's | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
| Paradise Point Resort Baleen | San Diego CA | 858-490-6363 |
| Toast Catering | san diego CA | 858.208.9422 |
| Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront & Spa | Carlsbad CA | 760-602-0800 |
| La Costa Resort & Spa | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-7063 |
| Pizzeria Mozza-San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-376-4353 |
| Indulchi | Chula Vista CA | 919-235-1697 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Pansy Flowers. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Recipe Land |
|
Wholemeal Red and Yellow Pepper Quiche with Pansies |
| My Recipes |
|
Lemon Jellyroll with Pansies |
| Marzipan |
|
Sugared (Crystalized) Edible Flowers |
| She knows |
|
Pansy Herb Salad |
Recently Spotted
People have spotted Pansy Flowers using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Spotting allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
Wine Bar @ Rancho La Puerta
Near Tecate, Baja California, MexicoAbout 56 days ago, 2/20/14 Spotter's comments : Pansy Flowers spotted at Wine Bar @ Rancho La Puerta. Natural Products Expo West Anaheim convention cent Near Oceanside, California, United States About 405 days ago, 3/08/13 Fresh Origins Farm Near Vista, California, United States About 440 days ago, 2/01/13 |
