Tulips

I still remember those arrogantly boring red and orange tulips everyone grew during Soviet times in Latvia—and for years afterwards. I truly hated them. I still do, in fact. It took me a long time to shift from hate to love when it came to tulips, but that change happened slowly, as new and beautiful varieties began to arrive and were cultivated more widely.

This year, as I was preparing for a cooking weekend, I visited a flower farm and picked tulips unlike any I had ever seen before—more reminiscent of peonies than traditional tulips, gracefully living their own lives in a vase, growing taller by the day.

As it turns out, tulips originally come from the Tien Shan Mountains in Central Asia. They were first cultivated by the Turks who—unlike me—admired their vibrant colours. It wasn't until the mid-16th century that tulips were introduced to Europe, particularly Austria, when bulbs were sent from the Ottoman Empire. They eventually made their way to the country we now associate with tulips the most—the Netherlands. In the 17th century, tulips became a national symbol, often appearing in paintings and sculptures, and even serving as a status symbol. At the height of "Tulipmania", a single rare bulb could cost as much as a house in Amsterdam.

Edibility

Though tulip petals are technically edible and can be used in food preparation, it's worth noting that they can trigger allergic reactions more often than other flower petals. The bulbs, however, are not edible and can be harmful if consumed.

Also important: all parts of tulips are toxic to pets.


Keeping Tulips in a Vase

Preparation. Cut the stems at a 45-degree angle to improve water absorption. For best results, do this under running water to prevent air bubbles from blocking the stems. Always remove any lower leaves that would sit in the water.

Vase. Always use a clean vase to reduce bacterial growth.

Water. Use cool (never hot) water. Change it every two to three days. Each time you change the water, trim the stems again slightly at a 45-degree angle, and remove any wilted leaves or petals.

Best Placement. Tulips dislike direct sunlight. Keep them in a shaded area of the room to help them last longer. Also, rotate the vase occasionally, as tulips naturally grow towards the light.