How to make Candied Violets

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Candied violets are a delicacy that originated in Vienna from Empress Sissi's time. 

Empress Elisabeth's favorite treat: natural, handpicked violet blossom leaves delicately candied with the finest sugar.

K. u. K. Court Confectioner Ch. Demel's Sons Gmbh

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The recipe that I would like to introduce today is one of the simplest ways to candy violets. 

The ready candied violets make an excellent addition to sparkling wine, or a fancy cocktail, giving it a beautiful color and a sweet violet flavor. 

The month of March is the flowering time of violets. If you have a garden, you should be on the lookout for violets this month and harvest them as soon as they are in full bloom. 

Now you can make yourself delicious candied violets and, for example, violet syrup and have pleasure with it all year round!

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• 🥘 Ingredients
• 🍽 Equipment
• 🔪 Instructions
• 🙋🏻 FAQ
• 🌡️ Storage
• 🤎 You might also like
• 📖 Recipe
• ⛑ Food Safety
• 💬 Comments

🥘 Ingredients

• Superfine Sugar
• Fresh Violets
• Water

See the recipe card for quantities.

🔪 Instructions

The preparation of candied violets begins with collecting and harvesting violets in your garden. Since violets do not bloom forever, I recommend harvesting a large portion at once and making candied violets or violet syrup from it in one fell swoop. 

Since I was unfortunately quite late this year, the harvest was somewhat meager. But better a handful than none at all!

Back in the kitchen, it's time to start candying. 

Dissolve the sugar in boiling water. Now wash the violet blossoms with water and remove the stem. 

Then place the violets into the sugar solution.

Note that the flowers are entirely immersed in the sugar solution, and leave them for a day. 

The next day, lift the flowers out of the solution with a fork.

Let them drain a little and place them on a close-meshed cake rack or on baking paper to dry for another 24 hours. Since I had a close-meshed rack on hand, I used that one. Don't forget to place a paper towel underneath to soak up any excess sugar solution. 

Once the sugar is firm, you can store them in a well-sealed container. 

Done! Such a quick and easy way to make this treat!

🙋🏻 FAQ

Where to buy candied Violets

I found several places where you can buy those wonderful candied violets: 

Snag your wonderful candied violets @ Etsy! TheGroovyGroveGarden is selling them too!

At selfridges.com you can buy Candied Violets from Mill & Mortar (UK).

Candied Violets Vienna (Demel candied violets) 

Demel is the place to buy your violets if you are after real Austrian candied violets. The K and K Court Confectioner, in Vienna, still produces these delicious candied violets. Unfortunately, the transportation costs from Austria are quite high overseas. But maybe you'll take a vacation in beautiful Vienna, my hometown? Then you should not miss a visit at Demel! 

K. U. K. COURT CONFECTIONER
CH. DEMEL'S SONS GMBH
Address: Kohlmarkt 14, 1010 Vienna
Phone: +43 (1) 535 17 17 - 0
E-mail: wien@demel.com
Opening hours: daily 10.00 a.m. - 07.00 p.m.
Kaiserschmarrn: daily 11.00 a.m. - 07:00 p.m.

How to make Candied violets for decoration purposes

1. Place the egg whites in a bowl and whip until foamy, they should not be stiff.
2. Pluck off the petals or carefully detach the flower head from the flower stem. Alternatively, you can leave part of the stem on and carefully remove it after candying. Then you have a way to hold the flowers better.
3. Put the leaves/flowers into the egg white and put on the disposable gloves. Use your fingers to carefully wet the flowers with the egg white foam so that they do not get crushed.
4. Alternatively, you can use a brush to coat the flowers with the egg white, especially if they are whole. Working with a brush is recommended mainly because then it is ensured that not too much egg white gets on the flower. On the one hand, too much egg white can cause the flower to collapse (because of the moisture), and on the other hand, too much sugar could stick to it later and form unsightly lumps.
5. Place the wetted blossoms one by one next to each other on a baking sheet lined with baking paper.
6. Now sift the household sugar in a thin layer onto the blossoms.
7. Then place the baking tray in the oven. Dry the flowers at +50°C with the convection function for about 1.5 to 2 hours.

Source: blog.meincupcake.de

Candied Violets Amazon?

Since Amazon sells nearly everything, you can buy candied violets there as well. 

What do Candied Violets Taste like?

Candied violets taste sweet and give a wonderful violet scent to sparkling wine, champagne, cocktails, and ordinary water. 

🌡️ Storage

The candied violets last up to 6 months in an airtight container.

📖 Recipe

⛑ Food Safety

• Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
• Wash hands after touching raw meat
• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
• Never leave cooking food unattended
• Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
• Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.