Don’t throw away your basil flowers: they are golden when used like this

If you have a basil plant and it has flowers, do not throw them away because they can be used in several ways. Below we will show you everything you need to know.

Basil is one of the most loved and used aromatic herbs. Its aroma and flavor are truly unique and it is a favorite among many. It complements numerous dishes, providing that essential extra touch. Precisely because of its wide use, people often decide to plant it nearby.

Whether you have a garden or just a simple balcony, simply place a pot and start growing it. This way you will always have it on hand and you won’t need to ask the fruit seller for it. It will always be fresh and taking care of it is really easy. Just take a few small precautions and you’re good to go.

However, what you may not know is that you should not throw away basil flowers. In fact, these are also edible and you can recognize them because they look like ears, only a little smaller and thinner. They grow and are usually cut down and thrown away. Now, let’s show you why you shouldn’t throw them away at all.

Don’t throw away basil flowers

As we just mentioned, basil has small spikes on each stem where small white flowers are present. These are usually cut when they reach a few centimeters. In fact, cutting will allow the stem to grow and, consequently, have more basil leaves.

However, you can grow some of these spikes up to a maximum of 10/15 centimeters to be able to use them in the kitchen and beyond. When they have reached this length, you can proceed to cut them, but be careful because they are not consumed as well as the leaves, but must be dried first.

So, the ears are edible but must first be dried. Once they reach a decent length, you can separate them from the basil plant that will continue to grow even more and you can put them in the sun for several hours. Make sure there is no wind; otherwise the spikes will fly away.

Once dry, which will take about 48 hours, they can be used in a variety of ways. However, it is recommended to put this herb in a jar with a lid to ensure it retains its aroma. But let’s see below how to use them in a very simple way.

Basil vinegar: this is how it’s made

With dried spikes, you can get basil-infused vinegar by simply pouring the dried spikes into the bottle. Let everything infuse for about 7 days and then filter the mixture. Here you have obtained a very simple basil vinegar without needing to go to the supermarket.

Creating a seedling

With basil spikes it is also possible to propagate basil and give birth to a new seedling. In this case, it is advisable to dry the spikes directly on the plant. Once they have been rubbed, in soft soil mixed with sand. These should always be moist and exposed to the sun.

If you do it in spring or summer the result is guaranteed. After a few weeks, you will see the first leaves appear and little by little the plant will begin to grow. These are just a few methods to use basil differently, and you should at least try it.