Borage Flowers
Borage flowers are not only visually appealing with their vivid blue color and star-shaped blossoms but also offer a delightful cucumber-like flavor. In this comprehensive guide, you will find everything you need to know about this edible flower.
What are borage flowers?
Borage flowers, also known as starflowers, are small purple, white, or blue blooms with a distinct star shape. They are edible and widely used in foods and drinks. Borage flowers have a rich history and symbolism, representing courage and bravery. The plants that produce borage flowers belong to the Borago genus, with the most common species being Borago officinalis. Borage is an annual herb that grows quickly and self-seeds readily.
What do borage flowers pair well with?
Borage flowers have a flavor and scent reminiscent of cucumbers. They pair well with various dishes and beverages. Here are some ideas for pairing borage flowers:
Use the edible flowers as a garnish for salads, soups, and stews to add color and a mild cucumber taste.
Freeze the flowers in ice cubes and use them to enhance the visual appeal of fruit punch or other refreshing drinks.
Candied borage flowers can be used to decorate cakes and pastries, adding an attractive touch to desserts.
Recipes using borage
Borage flowers offer versatility in culinary applications. Here are a couple of recipe ideas that incorporate borage flowers:
Borage Flower Salad: Create a vibrant summer salad by combining fresh mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, and borage flowers. Toss with your favorite dressing and enjoy the refreshing flavors.
Borage Flower Lemonade: Make a refreshing and visually appealing lemonade by adding borage flowers to a pitcher of freshly squeezed lemon juice and sweetening with simple syrup. Serve over ice and garnish with additional borage flowers.
Health benefits of borage flowers
Borage flowers have various potential health benefits. They contain gamma linolenic acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid that has been associated with potential therapeutic effects. Some of the health benefits attributed to borage flowers include:
Anti-inflammatory properties: GLA present in borage flowers may help reduce inflammation in the body, potentially benefiting conditions like arthritis and eczema.
Promoting heart health: Borage flowers have been traditionally believed to provide courage and comfort to the heart. They may help support cardiovascular health, although further research is needed.
Mood enhancement: Borage flowers have been historically associated with improving mood and relieving depressive symptoms.
Bountiful borage facts
Borage flowers are highly attractive to bees, making them beneficial for pollination in vegetable gardens. They produce nutritious blue pollen, and the plant is sometimes referred to as "bee bush" or "bee bread".
Borage flowers have a long history of use and symbolism, dating back to ancient Greece. They were believed to represent courage and were used in herbalism for their perceived medicinal properties.
Borage flowers are known for their stunning color transformation. The flowers initially open closer to pink or magenta and gradually change to a rich purple or indigo blue color.
This Week’s Harvest
This Week’s Harvest is a one-time purchase to taste the season's goodness. It includes vibrant greens, fragrant herbs, crisp microgreens, and hearty root vegetables, all freshly harvested and delivered to your front door.
Taste This Week’s Harvest for yourself, and then let us know your thoughts. Or, come by for a tour. We are always eager to meet the families we feed and to show off exactly where our food came from.
And we can do so all season long.
Area 2 Farms offers different harvest subscription options to meet your family’s needs. Check out the 4-Week and the 10-Week Farm Subscriptions to choose what works best for you.
