What Can You Cook With Borage?

Understanding Borages

An unassuming yet distinctive herb that is often overlooked, borage, scientifically known as Borago officinalis, is a powerhouse of flavor and health benefits that deserves a spotlight in every gourmet pantry. Native to the Mediterranean region, borage has a refreshing cucumber-like flavor that’s especially favoured in culinary arts. Promise, this blue-flowered, robust herb can be a pleasant surprise once you get to know it.

Also known in various regions around the world as starflower, bee bush, or bee bread, the popularity of borage has grown exponentially over the centuries. Not to mention, as it was carried along various trade routes through Africa, Asia, and Europe, it started adopting local names and influences in different cuisines.

The Health Benefits of Borage

Borage comes packed with health benefits that were widely revered by ancient Greeks and Romans and continue to assert their value in modern herbal medicine. It would be remiss not to mention gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an active compound in borage oil reputed for its anti-inflammatory effects (source).

This herb also touts a myriad of nutrients- including Vitamin A, Vitamin C, niacin, thiamin, and riboflavin- that collectively contribute to good health. Borage’s high mineral content with the presence of potassium, calcium, zinc, magnesium, and iron make it a quiet yet potent nutrition champ. In particular, its antioxidant properties can aid with respiratory health, while its high fiber content can assist with digestion (source).

How to Use Borage in Your Cuisine

Most parts of the borage plant- from its bluish-purple flowers to its stalk and leaves- are edible and quite versatile in the kitchen scene. Sprinkle the flowers on salads or desserts to add a pop of color and a subtly sweet taste. The leaves, with their cucumber-like freshness, can be used much the same way you would use spinach or kale– in soups, stews, or as a simple sauté.

And there you have it- borage, an enchanting little herb that’s not just packed with flavor but also brimming with health benefits. Whether you’re adding it to your culinary creations or exploring its medicinal uses, it’s clear that borage deserves a place in your pantry.