"Scandinavia is leading the way with edible flowers"

Edible flowers are hip and on the rise. Since April this year, Van Vugt Herbs supplies edible flowers under the label BloomBites. This label was conceived and designed by Bernadette Kapteijn, who also strives to give edible flowers awareness among the consumers. She notes that consumer demand is growing faster than the number of outlets. "That is unfortunate, because the demand is there and the supply too, just the local dealer is missing.”

The range consists of seven to eight different flowers, all of which have been given alliterative names. A small selection: Romantic Roses, Majestic Mix, Frivolous Viola and Fancy Fuchsia. Edible flowers are related to ordinary flowers in the garden centre, but the edible varieties have different genetic lines and are grown in a different way which makes them suitable for consumption. "We use specially selected edible varieties. Not every orchid is edible and the same goes for many other flowers. In addition, the cultivation is completely adapted. So no crop protection, which of course makes the cultivation fairly complex," explains Bernadette.

With BloomBites, Bernadette focuses on the consumer and the hospitality industry. For the consumer, smaller packages have been developed, which can be used for cooking at home. The retail price is around € 4.95. For catering and wholesale, a larger pack was developed. "The range of both lines is the same. For both packaging lines, we have consciously chosen packs, easily re-sealable, so shelf life is guaranteed."

Dutch cultivation and export
"We grow the flowers in the Netherlands as much as possible, but some cultivation procedures can only be done abroad. Among other things, Israel is a country from which we import a lot. "Products are Global GAP certified and growers work with special potting soil.

In addition to the Dutch market, the flowers are also exported to destinations like Scandinavia. "These places are very active and innovative with everything hip and trendy. Scandinavia in particular is leading the way with edible flowers. Other markets that are interested in the products are: Belgium, Germany, Austria and Switzerland.”

More information:
BloomBites
Bernadette Kapteijn
E: info@bloombites.nl
W: www.bloombites.nl