Pantone’s Ultra Violet 2018 Color of the Year influences food flavors

Pantone’s 2018 Color of the Year, Ultra Violet, might have more than spiritual qualities. Floral flavors could be sprinkled all over the plate.

Every year, Pantone announces the color of the year. For 2018, the Color of the Year is Ultra Violet. This color follows last year’s extremely popular millennial pink. While Ultra Violet may evoke a sense of tranquility, mindfulness or even a spiritual side, the color isn’t limited to home décor. Floral flavors are coming to the food on the plate.

(Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

At the annual Home and Housewares Show in Chicago, the industry examines how the color of the year influences home décor. This year, the Ultra Violet color is influencing more than the coffee mugs, plates and other decorative items. Lavender, with its own calming effects, might soon be found in lattes, honey or dessert.

While lavender is a flower, it can be used to flavor food just like herbs. The key to using floral flavors is balance. Since floral notes can be stronger than herbs, the floral flavors need to be added using a deft hand. No one wants a latte tasting like your room diffuser or lavender soap.

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Lavender is an herb and is part of the mint family. It is said to have healing properties, like calming nerves, aiding migraines or helping insomnia. Many people already use lavender in cooking without even knowing it. Herbs de Provence contains many herbs, including lavender.

Even though lavender is used in savory cooking, sweet treats are the more common use. From vanilla lavender cupcakes to lattes, the added flavor is slightly citrus and less floral. When used sparingly, the herb rounds out the sweetness to a dessert.

A good way to start adding a little lavender flavor to a dessert is with lavender honey. The flavor is subtle yet adds a lovely note to many foods. One easy way to try this food is in tea. The tea has a soothing, yet sweet quality. Also, try a little of the lavender honey on a scone or a little drizzle on lemon pound cake.

As Pantone’s Ultra Violet brushes a calmness over home décor, let lavender add a subtle flavor to the plate.