BORAGE

Borago officinalis

  • COMMON NAMES

    Borage, Cool Tankard, Cover Crop, Starflower, Tailwort

  • PLANT FAMILY

    Boraginaceae

    The Forget-Me-Not-Family

  • NATIVE REGION

    Native to the Mediterranean region

  • HABITAT

    Best in full sun and moist soils, but can tolerate dry soils, particularly once established.

  • CULTIVATION

    Annual, from seed

  • PARTS USED

    Flower

PREPARATION

PROPERTIES: Alkaloids & Flavonoids

FLAVOR PROFILE: Crisp and cucumber-like.

PAIRING: Drinks, salads, compliments mints.

  • Use flowering tops and leaves. Discard stems. Chop finely and use 1 heaping teaspoon per cup of hot water.

  • Use flowering tops and leaves. Discard stems. Chop finely and use 1 heaping tablespoon per 1 oz honey; or 1 cup herb per 1 cup honey for a 1:1 ratio.

  • Use flowering tops and leaves. Discard stems. Chop finely and use 1 heaping tablespoon per 1 oz vinegar; or 1 cup herb per 1 cup vinegar for a 1:1 ratio.

  • Use flowering tops and leaves. Discard stems. Chop finely and use 1 heaping tablespoon per 1 oz spirit; or 1 cup herb per 1 cup spirit for a 1:1 ratio.

  • Dries quickly, air dry and do not apply additional heat to retain delicate volatile oil.