Consumption of edible flowers in South Africa : nutritional benefits, stakeholders' views, policy and practice implications

Abstract

PURPOSE : Edible flowers have traditionally been consumed for their nutritional and medicinal properties. Aponogeton distachyos is an aquatic flowering plant native to the Western Cape of South Africa (SA) that used to be a wild plant gathered during the winter months, but it is now considered to be underutilised and endangered. This study aims at gaining insights from different stakeholders into the activities across the plant value chain and their impact on the consumption of Aponogeton distachyos. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH : The study methodology involved the identification of different stakeholders in the plant value chain and conducting qualitative in-depth interviews during the data collection. Twelve study participants were selected via purposive sampling and interviewed using semi-structured interviews (face-to-face, telephone and online). FINDINGS : Nostalgic connection of the flower with local culture and heritage and its unique taste and flavour are key consumption drivers. Promotional and educational efforts by food advocates and at public events help raise consumer awareness, which is generally lacking. Limited geographic and seasonal availability, perishability, price and quality issues emerged, together with low awareness, as main barriers to more frequent and geographically spread consumption. ORIGINALITY/VALUE : Although wild edible flowers have been consumed for centuries, there has been little attention to their nutritional value and journey to their final consumers. The present study identifies important challenges emanating at different stages of the food value chain to consumption of one particular neglected and underutilised plant, with certain implications for people's dietary quality, environmental sustainability and biodiversity of natural resources beyond Aponogeton distachyos and SA. HIGHLIGHTS : (1) Aponogeton distachyos is a neglected and underutilised aquatic flowering plant native to the Western Cape of South Africa (SA). (2) The plant offers benefits related to people's dietary quality, environmental sustainability and biodiversity of natural resources. (3) Flower's nostalgic connection with local culture and heritage emerge as a key consumption driver. (4) Its unique taste and flavour highly appeal to consumers. (5) Low awareness, limited availability, price and quality are main consumption barriers. (6) There is largely unexploited public policy potential for supporting dietary diversity through growing edible flowers.