Are Basil Flowers Edible?
Basil flowers are, indeed, edible! They’re herbal, flavorful, and delicious in fresh dishes. Though they have less flavor than the leaves, the flowers are perfect additions to a wide range of meals. Consider using these blooms instead of snipping them off.
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Basil is the herb of summer! Its lush, green leaves fill the garden with herbal aromas. As summer moves on, you’ll notice the leafy stems begin producing flower spikes at their ends. Different varieties have flowers of various colors, shapes, and sizes.
While they’re blooming, these flowers attract pollinating bees and insects. The blooms are beneficial for pollinators, as they lure the insects to your garden with the promise of pollen and nectar. If you don’t plan on eating them, you can leave them be in your yard to help the local insects.
Most growers trim off the flowers to prevent them from forming. They prefer leaves over blooms, as the leaves have more flavor. You have a few options when it comes to your basil: let it bloom, prune it, or harvest the flowers to use in the kitchen.
The Short Answer
Yes, these flowers are edible. They have a mild basil flavor that’s softer than the leaves. Use them in fresh dishes or infuse them in oils, vinegars, and marinades. The possibilities are endless!
How you should use your herbs depends on your preferences and cooking habits. Whether you like Thai dishes, pasta, or salads, you can use the blooms. Don’t let them go to waste, as there is a wide range of applications you can try.
The Long Answer
So, we’ve answered the question of whether basil flowers are edible. Professionals assure that you can eat them! But what should you do with them? There is no right or wrong way, as there are many different ways to use them.
Basil Flower Flavor
The flowers vary in taste depending on their variety. Thai basils have a sweet and savory flavor, while Greek and Italian cultivars have strong, pungent aromas. Thai varieties go great in sautés and soups, while Italian and Greek varieties are vital in pestos and sauces.
Holy basil is another option! It’s an herbal type that makes a delicious tea. Its flowers and leaves are edible, and they work well in desserts, teas, and infusions.
Although the flowers taste like the leaves, they’re slightly softer in flavor. Their more subtle taste lends well to charcuterie boards, fresh salads, and sandwiches. You may use them for pesto and similar sauces; simply add more of the blooms to compensate for their subtle flavor.
How to Use Basil Flowers
There’s no right or wrong way to use the blooms. Your imagination is the limit! You can infuse them, chop them, or eat them whole. I like to scatter them in salads to provide a colorful, herbal punch.
Infusions are a great way to preserve the flowers’ flavor. Vinegar, alcohol, and oil all work well as carriers. Simply place the basil in the liquid, and let it sit at room temperature for two to three days. Strain the blossoms out afterwards and refrigerate the solution. Use the infusion in salad dressings, marinades, and fresh dips.
You can make pesto with the flowers of Greek or Italian cultivars. Simply mash the blossoms with pine nuts, lemon juice, olive oil, and a dash of salt and pepper. Stir well, and use the pesto as your heart desires. Mix it with pasta or dip chunks of bread in it.
Avoid drying the blossoms as they tend not to dry well. It loses its flavor. Instead, freeze the leaves in cubes of olive oil and pop them out when you need the herb.
Best Flowering Varieties
Some basils flower bigger and better than others. Most cultivars have small, white blossoms that emerge in clusters on the stem tips. Some have different colored flowers, while others have different shapes that make them stand out in the garden.
For a unique flower unlike any other, consider the ‘Cardinal’ basil. It features maroon flower bracts with tiny white blooms that pop out from summer through fall. They’re gorgeous enough to work in edible dishes or as decorative cut flowers!
Other types to consider include ‘Sweet Thai’ and ‘Purple Petra.’ ‘Sweet Thai’ has maroon blossoms in spikes, while ‘Purple Petra’ is purple all over. ‘Purple Petra’ blooms with pink-white blossoms that are attractive in borders and raised beds. Holy basil is another superb option with pink flowers.
Other Herbs With Edible Flowers
Basil isn’t the only herb with edible flowers! Many plants provide lush, beautiful blooms with multiple uses in the kitchen. Dill, parsley, and cilantro have edible blooms you can use in your meals or floral arrangements. Like basil blooms, they also attract pollinators to the garden.
Whether you like to use herbal blossoms as decorations or as flavor boosters in the kitchen, there are dozens of blooming herbs you can fill your garden with. Create an herb garden with your favorites, or tuck in annual and perennial herbs between your other plants.
For the best growth, give your basil plants plenty of sun, regular moisture, and proper airflow. They’ll thrive in containers, raised beds, or in the ground, and they’re frost-tender. Grow them in pots indoors during the winter months to maintain a fresh supply of herbs.
Key Takeaways
- Basil’s flowers are edible! Use them however you use the leaves, or put them on display in salads and fresh dishes.
- Some blooms are showier than others. Consider ‘Cardinal’ or ‘Sweet Thai’ if you like showy blossoms.
- Many other herbs have edible blossoms. Consider growing parsley, oregano, and dill to fill the garden with colors, fragrances, and lush growth.
- There’s no right or wrong way to prepare these blossoms. Use them however you’d like to impart their flavor in your meals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is it best to trim basil flowers?
Snip them off at their base to promote leafy growth. Use them after you trim them in your cooking or floral arrangements.
Can basil flowers be used in pesto?
Yes, they can! Grind or pulverize them with your other pesto ingredients to make a flavorful sauce.
Which basil has purple flowers?
Thai basils tend to be purple bloomers. Try ‘Purple Petra’ if you’d like a Greek cultivar with purple hues.
