Don’t throw away your basil flowers: they are precious when used in this way.

If you have a basil plant and it has flowers, don’t throw them away because they can be used in various ways. Below, we show you everything you need to know.

Basil stands out as a very popular and widely used aromatic herb. Its distinct aroma and taste make it truly special, earning it the favor of many people. It enhances a variety of dishes, adding an essential touch that is much appreciated. Due to its widespread use, people often choose to grow 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 will not need to ask your market gardener. It will always be fresh, and taking care of it is really simple. Just take a few small precautions, and you are ready 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 spikes, only they are a little smaller and thinner. They grow and are usually cut and thrown away. Now, we will show you why you should absolutely not throw them away.

Don’t throw away basil flowers

As we just mentioned, basil has small thorns on each stem where small white flowers are present. Typically, these are pruned when they reach a few centimeters. This is because pruning facilitates the growth of the stems, leading to an increased yield of basil leaves.

However, you can grow some of these thorns up to a maximum of 10/15 centimeters to be able to use them in the kitchen and beyond. Once they have reached this length, you can proceed with pruning. However, be careful because these stems are not consumed fresh like the leaves; they require drying first.

So, the thorns are edible but need to be dried first. Once they reach a decent length, you can separate them from the basil plant which 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 thorns will fly away.

Once they are dry, which will take about 48 hours, they can be used in a variety of ways. It is advisable to store this herb in a jar with a lid to preserve its aroma. Let us explore a simple method to use them below.

Basil Vinegar: Here’s How
With the dried thorns, you can get basil-infused vinegar by simply pouring the dried thorns into the bottle. Let everything steep for about 7 days and then strain the mixture. Voila, you have obtained a very simple basil vinegar without going to the supermarket.

Create a plant

With basil thorns, it is also possible to propagate basil and give birth to a new plant. In this case, it is advisable to dry the thorns directly on the plant. As soon as they have come off, plant them in soft soil mixed with sand. These must always be moist and exposed to the sun.

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