Purple Sweet Violet

Everything about Viola odorata is special – it is beautiful, fragrant, and delicious! The sweet scent of this purple flower is unmistakable in the Spring and the flower has always been popular – particularly in the late Victorian period – used in the production of many cosmetic fragrances and perfumes. The French have been known to use this edible flower for making violet syrup and candies, and today it is used to make violet scones, ice cream, and marshmallows. At OAEC it is an annual tradition to make an incomparable violet jam from hundreds of harvested flowers in the Spring. The leaves are also edible and high in Vitamin A, and we commonly use them in our signature salad mix. In traditional herbal medicine, violets have been used for a variety of respiratory ailments, insomnia, and skin disorders.