violas

The viola family contains pansies, violets and johnny-jump-ups. Pansies are one of the first plants to appear in stores in the spring, and one of the last in the fall because they are happiest in cool sunny weather.

One of the prettiest options in terms of edible flower ganishes, violas taste fresh and mildly floral with a hint of wintergreen and should be eaten whole for the best flavour. The range of available colours and sizes makes for beautiful garnishes on cakes and sweets. Traditionally sugared and crystallized, they are also used to make Crème de Violette, a 19th-century liqueur that has recently had a resurgence in popularity.