Arugula Flowers Delivery or Pickup

You may have heard of arugula, a vibrantly colored green with lobed leaves, but have you heard of arugula flowers? Also known as arugula blossoms, these white or cream-colored petals are shaped like a cross and have purple veins. They are known to be nutty and peppery in flavor, just like arugula leaves. Arugula flowers are the result of an arugula plant that is left in the ground to bolt. After the leaves have reached maturity or as the weather begins to warm up, the plant grows taller and produces flowers. A mature arugula plant with flowers can reach anywhere from 24 to 36 inches tall.

The arugula plant dates all the way back to the Roman era. It's mentioned both in the Bible and the Talmud. It has been historically written about for its medicinal properties by the ancient poets Ovid and Martial and physicians Galen and Dioscorides. Arugula blossoms and leaves are native to the Mediterranean area and are popular in Italian, Portuguese, and Moroccan cuisine. It's a fairly new element in the United States as it was just introduced in the early 2000s. 

Due to how quickly it reaches maturity, this spicy leafy green is also sometimes called rocket. It grows well in cool climates, as severely hot weather can make it even more bitter. Arugula flowers have a spicy, almost mustard-like flavor. This makes it naturally resistant to pests and insects.

You can grow your own arugula flowers each spring. Simply plant arugula seeds in late summer and cut off the leaves in the fall. Leave the plant in the ground throughout the winter. They will be fine even under snow. Once spring arrives, the plant will grow and bolt, producing arugula flowers.

Arugula flowers have the same peppery flavor as the plant's leaves. These blossoms add a spicy tang to several different foods such as salads, sandwiches, soups, and pasta. They also pair well with egg dishes from frittatas and quiches to scrambled eggs and fried egg sandwiches. 

If you're choosing arugula flowers at the grocery store or farmers market, look for flowers that are white or cream-colored and on vibrant green stalks. If you're growing arugula in your vegetable or herb garden, wait for the arugula plant to bolt. Once it begins producing flowers, simply cut them off and use them as you'd like.

Once arugula flowers have been harvested, they need to be consumed or served almost immediately. These spicy blossoms are perishable and can go bad quickly. If your arugula flowers are already wilted, they will not last very long. You can also tell if the flowers have gone bad by simply looking at the plant. The leaves attached to the flowers will be dark and moist. Plus, if the flowers are rotten, they will smell sour, not peppery.

The next time you'd like to try arugula flowers with one of your recipes, simply use the Instacart app! Open the app on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop. Search for arugula flowers, add them to your cart, choose a delivery time, and complete your purchase. Our Instacart shoppers will have your arugula flowers delivered to your front door in as little as 2 hours. It really is that easy!