When your basil plant begins to flower, think twice before pinching off and discarding those delicate blooms. While many gardeners remove the flowers to promote leaf growth, basil flowers are far from useless. These small blossoms offer a subtle, milder basil flavor, making them an excellent addition to your kitchen. Use them as a garnish on salads, soups, pasta, or even cocktails to add a unique herbaceous note and a pop of color.

Beyond garnishes, basil flowers can be used to create basil flower-infused oil or vinegar. Infusing oils with basil flowers captures their flavor and fragrance, making it easy to enhance dressings, marinades, and other dishes. Vinegar infused with basil flowers works similarly, adding a floral note to salad dressings or marinades. Both infusions are easy to make by steeping the flowers in olive oil or vinegar for a week or two before straining and storing.

For a warm, aromatic drink, consider brewing basil flower tea. Simply steep the flowers in hot water for a soothing, antioxidant-rich tea with a gentle basil taste and floral notes. Basil flowers can also be blended into pesto, providing a slightly sweeter, more delicate flavor than traditional basil pesto.

If you’re not using the flowers in the kitchen, allow some blooms to remain on the plant in the garden. Basil flowers attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, boosting your garden’s health and productivity. Dried basil flowers can also be preserved for later use in teas, potpourri, or homemade skincare, allowing you to enjoy their aroma and benefits all year round.