it’s that time already, the Dahlia tubers are out of the ground and you’re preparing them for storage.
This is the perfect time to bring back an old post on what you can do with excess tubers (we know some Dahlia 
gardeners can go a bit overboard).
Ok, I’m going to say it. Brace yourself… Did you know you can eat both your dahlia flowers as well as the tubers?
I’m not talking about some newfangled preppy fad. This has been round for over a 100 years.
I know it sounds heartless but I just feel I gotta let you know!
I think it’s important to note that I would probably never, ever find out how good they taste because I would never ever do that to any of my tubers 🙂
I mean, Helllooo… dig up the tubers that give me such beautiful flowers, brings so much joy to my heart and eat them! Then again in the event of a zombie apocalypse… hasta la vista mis bebés 🙂 Yes I know wild imagination
Sorry, on with the story!!!
Not only is this amazing plant/flower the awesomest gift you can ever give your garden and by extension yourself, it can also feed your family.
CAN YOU GET ANY AWESOMMERER THAN THAT! I don’t think so!
Dahlias are native to Central America and had been a staple for the Aztecs, they were used to haul water or as a source of water, the Aztec called the Dahlia “Acocotli” or Water Cane”. Keep in mind today’s Dahlias are a bit different to yesteryear’s.
Dahlias are a closely related to the Sunflower and Jerusalem artichoke and can be eaten raw of cooked. The tubers are best peeled as the taste of the skin can be unpleasant.
As you may know, as I’m sure you’ve broken one or two tubers,(Yes, you have, we all have). The texture of the Dahlia tuber can vary. Most tend to have that “crispy” feel and sound, much like an apple and some can be a bit softer.
Ahhh yes, the taste… Just like the plant vary in looks, the tubers vary in taste. Some can be quite bland, with others having a range of flavours and textures.
Some suggest the color or shape will yield a better tasting tuber but that goes right up there with predicting a babies sex, weight etc. based on the shape of the mothers belly or what she eats. It’s a hit and miss. Tastes good or bad, after all is a matter of opinion.
Modern hybrids (ornamental) which are bred more for the look and floral yield tend to be on the lower end of the taste spectrum, i.e. they tend to be more unpleasant. The heirloom dahlias tend to have a more pleasant taste
Some taste vary from spicy, to something like celery or maybe even bitter.
The soil can affect not the taste of the Dahlia but it can also affect the vitamin and mineral content of the tuber itself.
Stored Dahlia tubers tend to have a sweeter taste than freshly cultivated tubers. This is because the inulin contained in tubers is converted to Fructose.
I personally have not tried eating tubers, I just won’t do it. I will if someone else offers theirs but I can’t cook my babies.
My Dahlias dealer claims to makes an amazing dahlia bread he swears by, with his extra tubers.
If you decide to try it, make sure you do your research. It never hurts to consult your doctor before giving it a try, better to err on side of safety.
If you do try or have tried it. Why not drop us a line and let us know what you thought.
So tell me… Who’s Your Dahlia?
It’s About Blommin’ Time