Borage oil can also be used in making soap, and in making a range of other skin care products. You can also simply add a few leaves or flowers to a number of other soap recipes, such as the one below: Cucumber and Borage Soap @ thenerdyfarmwife., and com.
You should be wondering “What goes well with borage?”
The borage gives the hint of a cucumber flavor that works well with peas and mint . This soup would be perfect on a cool spring evening with some homemade bread. Say goodbye to the classic cucumber dips you find at parties and try a borage and mint dip instead.
What is a borage?
Borage is a plant with blue flowers that was introduced to Britain by the Romans and grows wild in some areas. Its leaves, flowers and stalks are edible and taste a little like cucumber.
Traditionally the borage plant was used to treat many ailments, from jaundice to kidney problems. In medicinal use today it is limited, but the seeds are a source of linolenic acid. Borage flowers are also used in potpourris or candied for use in confections . Borage can be perpetuated by allowing the flowers to go to seed and self-sow.
One of the next things we wondered was: what is borage used for in cooking?
The cucumber-flavoured leaves should be harvested when young and used fresh, in salads, soups and other savoury dishes, or to add flavour to salad dressings. Borage has been used as an herb since the time of the ancient Greeks and Romans.
Does borage need stratification?
, and absolutely not. Borage seed sprouts if you throw it on racks. Hee, just a joke. But it is an extremely effective self-sower . I haven’t planted borage in years yet have it every year. Originally, I just direct sowed the seed. Perhaps bad seed? Or bad soil/conditions? And you can still plant borage.
What do you do with borage leaves?
You can use borage fresh as salad greens or steam them up like you would spinach or kale. Another option is to dry the leaves and set them aside for use as a dried herb or seasoning. It can also be used to steep in teas and is a delightful treat when candied.
One more question we ran across in our research was “How do you use borage in your garden design?”.
I the first and most common way to use borage in your garden design is as a companion plant . Borage is a common companion plant for a wide range of different fruits and vegetables. In fact, borage can be a good ‘nurse’ plant throughout your garden, and works well with almost any plant.
Can you grow borage from seed?
Borage Seed Growing Borage is a hardy annual , which means that the plant will die in a frost, but the seeds can survive in the frozen ground. This is good news for borage, as it produces a huge amount of seed in the fall. The seed falls to the ground and the plant dies, but in the spring new borage plants emerge to take its place.
Borage herb is not a fussy plant and has been known to grow in refuse piles and highway ditches . Be assured you want the plant to regrow annually or remove the flowers before it seeds.
Borage is open pollinated and it is very easy to collect and save the seed from flowers allowed to remain on the plant and turn brown. Borage self-seeds readily if allowed to go to seed naturally.
Can you eat borage flowers?
Borage flowers makes an attractive edible garnish and may be added to any green or fruit salad to taste. Young finely chopped borage leaves may be added to any green salad, but do not add too much because of their hairy texture. Especially good with beans, green peas and spinach. Borage Leaves as a Vegetable .
One query we ran across in our research was “What do you serve with borage flowers?”.
Borage flowers to garnish (optional) Blend brandy, sugar, wine, juice and ice until combined. Combine champagne, lemonade, ginger ale, borage and wine mixture in large bowl just before serving. Decorate with borage flowers.