As a passionate home gardener and cook, I’m always looking for ways to utilize every part of my garden harvest. Basil is one of my favorite herbs to grow for its versatile culinary uses. But when those first purple flower buds emerge on my basil plants each summer, my initial reaction used to be snipping them off quickly to prolong leaf production. I’ve since discovered the edible and crafty potential of basil blossoms, which offer much more than a fleeting burst of color in the herb patch.
Once basil begins flowering, the leaves tend to become more bitter as the plant’s energy goes toward seed production. For the best-tasting basil, it’s advisable to pinch off the flowers to encourage tender new leaf growth. But leaving some blooms to develop opens up creative possibilities for using the mild-flavored basil blossoms.
The dainty flowers come in white pink or purple hues, sometimes with showy bracts in shades of green or purple. Sweet basil varieties like Genovese bear white flowers, while colorful blooms adorn purple basil cultivars. The blossoms carry a delicate basil perfume and flavor that’s more subtle than the leaves.
Both the whole flower clusters and tiny individual petals can be utilized. For optimal tenderness and taste, harvest the buds when they first begin opening up. Mature, dry flowers are still usable for certain projects but tend to be tough and bitter when eaten.
12 Tasty Ways to Eat Basil Flowers
From salads to infused oils, basil’s edible blossoms add ornamental and flavor accents to many dishes and drinks. Here are some of my favorite culinary uses for these garden beauties:
1. Garnish Salads
Fresh whole basil flowers or scattered petals instantly dress up green pasta potato, or fruit salads. Their mild basil essence enhances all kinds of salad greens and ingredients.
2. Infuse Vinegars
Steep basil blooms in white wine or cider vinegars for 1-2 weeks to impart a delicate herbal flavor Use the infused vinegar in salad dressings and marinades.
3. Infuse Olive Oils
Layer basil flowers in olive oil to make a beautifully flavored oil for drizzling over pastas, bruschetta, and more. Let steep 4-6 weeks then strain.
4. Make Pesto
Blend basil blossoms into pesto sauce for a more complex, mellow flavor. Use a ratio of equal parts leaves and flowers.
5. Stir into Omelets
Add chopped flowers to omelet mixes or frittatas. They’ll melt into tasty green flecks in the finished dish.
6. Toss into Salads
Mince the blooms and sprinkle over all types of mixed green, grain, and pasta salads. The edible petals add nice texture.
7. Bake with Doughs
Knead torn basil flowers into bread, pizza, focaccia, or roll doughs before baking. You’ll get sweet bursts of color and flavor in each bite.
8. Float in Drinks
Use showy whole basil flowers as edible garnishes for lemonade, sangria, and mocktails. So pretty!
9. Candy on Desserts
Brush flowers with egg white and coat in sugar to make whimsical cake decorations. The sweetness contrasts beautifully with the basil essence.
10. Blend into Salsa
Add a few flowers to fresh tomato salsa for flecks of color and a hit of basil. Great with chips or spooned over grilled meats or fish.
11. Fold into Omelets
Mix chopped basil blooms into omelet batters or scrambles. They’ll add texture and melt into the eggs.
12. Brew Flower Tea
Steep fresh or dried basil flowers in hot water for a few minutes to make a flavorful herbal tea. Sweeten with honey if desired.
7 Crafty Ways to Use Basil Flowers
Beyond culinary uses, basil’s fragrant and colorful blossoms can be incorporated into homemade body products, crafts, and decor. Here are some of my favorite ideas:
1. Make Flower Oil
Infuse olive, almond, or other carrier oils with basil flowers by steeping 4-6 weeks. Use in homemade lotions, balms, or perfumes.
2. Craft Potpourri
Dry and crumble spent blooms to add to homemade potpourri mixes. Combine with rose petals, essential oils, and spices.
3. Add to Bath Salts
Mix dried and ground basil flowers intoEpsom salt or Himalayan salt bath blends. Great for homemade spa gifts too.
4. Enhance Candles
Add a few drops of basil essential oil and dried blossoms to container candles for an herbal aromatic experience.
5. Create Flower Wreaths
Interweave fresh blooms into grapevine, straw, or wire wreaths as fragrant decor for walls and doors.
6. Make Sachets
Fill small fabric sachets with dried flowers and tuck into drawers or closets to lightly scent linens.
7. Accent Soap
Press dried flowers lightly into goat’s milk soap tops for natural exfoliation and visual appeal. Makes lovely gifts.
Harvesting, Drying, and Storing Basil Flowers
To take full advantage of your basil blossoms, it’s helpful to have a system for gathering, preserving, and storing the flowers. Here are some tips:
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Harvest flower clusters in early morning when aromatic oils are concentrated. Choose young, just-opening buds.
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Gently wash in cool water and pat thoroughly dry on towels before using or preserving. Remove any bugs.
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Air dry small bunches or individual flowers out of direct sun. Or dry on trays or mesh racks.
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To freeze: Place flowers in a single layer on a tray and freeze solid. Then promptly pack into airtight containers.
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Store dried basil flowers in sealed glass jars out of light. Use within 1 year for optimal flavor.
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Infuse flowers in oils or vinegars to preserve their essence. Refrigerate infusions after straining.
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Keep fresh cut flowers layered between damp paper towels in an airtight container up to 5 days.
Final Thoughts on Enjoying Basil Blossoms
With their vivid colors, sweet perfume, and versatility, basil’s lovely blossoms have so much to offer beyond a quick pinch in the garden. I’ve come to treasure these transient flowers as both culinary and crafting treasures. Their subtle flavor makes basil blooms shine in some recipes more than others, so experiment to find your favorites. With so many edible uses, craft projects, and preserving options, you can fully appreciate the beauty and flavor of each harvest.
Make Basil Flower Vinegar
Basil flower vinegar works well with olive oil or any citrus juice in salad dressings. Heres how to make it:
- Place freshly snipped basil flowers into a clean glass jar and cover them with red or white wine vinegar. You can add more basil flowers to the jar as you have them, along with more vinegar to cover. Keep the jar covered in between basil additions.
- Once the jar is full, leave it to infuse for at least a week.
- Strain out the basil flowers (you can compost or discard them).
- Transfer the vinegar to a clean glass jar or cruet, and cap or cork tightly.
Eat ‘Em!
Basil flowers are perfectly edible. In terms of fragrance and flavor, the flowers are similar, if milder, than the leaves. Sometimes, flowers can be somewhat bitter, so test them first. When sprinkled over a salad, basil flowers impart a mild basil flavor and add a decorative touch. They also make a great garnish for anything that pairs well with basil, such as pasta, cheese or fresh fruit, or plates of meat or vegetables.
What To Do With Basil Flower? – The Plant Enthusiast
FAQ
What do you do with the flowers on basil?
When basil flowers, it signals the plant to start producing seeds, which can lead to a decline in leaf production and a change in flavor. By pinching off the flowers, you encourage the plant to focus its energy on growing more leaves, which is what you want for culinary use.
How to prepare basil flowers?
- Place the basil flowers in a glass bottle. You can add some leaves as well. {I used 1 flower and about 3 small leaves for a small jar}
- Fill the bottle with warm extra-virgin olive oil*.
- Let sit a few days.
- Use it on your summer salads**.
What are the benefits of basil flowers?
Medicinal Uses: Basil flowers, like the leaves, contain essential oils and compounds with potential health benefits. Traditionally, tulsi flowers (holy basil) are used in herbal medicine for their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and stress-relieving properties.
How do you dry basil flowers for tea?
They’re ready to store when they are completely dry and crumble when crushed. use a dehydrator on it’s lowest setting. use an oven on it’s lowest temperature setting (170 or less). tie a bunch of herbs or flowers with a piece of sting and hang it in a sunny window in your home.