Herb

Flower

Basil flowers are edible spikes of small white, pink, or purple blossoms with concentrated herbal flavour—slightly stronger and more floral than leaves. They garnish salads, drinks, and desserts, or steep in vinegar. Flowering signals the plant shifting energy from leaf production. Use as a finishing garnish; heat dulls them quickly. Some cooks prefer pinching buds off to keep leaves sweet and abundant. Thai basil flowers are common in curry garnishes.

Track this ingredient

Quantity

Unit

Kg Liters Whole

Note

Cuts & parts

Bud

Open Flower

Characteristics

Preparations

Fresh GarnishInfusedSaladVinegar

Traits

AromaticDelicateEdible BlossomsFloralGarnish FormSignals MaturityStronger Than LeafVisual

Nutrition

Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.

Nutrition Facts

Per 100 g edible portion

Calories 37.7

Amount per 100 g

Total Fat 0.8 g
Saturated Fat 0.19 g
Trans Fat 0 g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.09 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.39 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 25.2 mg
Salt 0.05 g
Total Carbohydrate 7.21 g
Dietary Fibre 4.03 g
Total Sugars 0.94 g
Complex / starch 1.06 g
Protein 2.83 g
Water 81.2 g

Detailed nutrients

Energy 37.7 kcal
Water 81.2 g
Carbohydrates 7.21 g
- Sugars 0.94 g
- Starch 1.06 g
- Fibre 4.03 g
Protein 2.83 g
Fat 0.8 g
- Saturated Fat 0.19 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 0.09 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 0.39 g
  - Omega-3 0.04 g
Vitamins 403 mg
- Vitamin A 15 µg
- Vitamin B1 — Thiamine 0.09 mg
- Vitamin B2 — Riboflavin 0.16 mg
- Vitamin B3 — Niacin 1.06 mg
- Vitamin B5 — Pantothenic Acid 0.42 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.21 mg
- Vitamin B7 — Biotin 2.1 µg
- Vitamin B9 — Folate 81.8 µg
- Vitamin C 2 mg
- Vitamin E 2.01 mg
- Vitamin K 298 µg
Minerals 363 mg
- Major Minerals 361 mg
  - Calcium 53 mg
  - Sodium 25.2 mg
  - Potassium 283 mg
- Trace Minerals 1.5 mg
  - Iron 1.5 mg
Salt 0.05 g

Vitamins

vitamin-c: 2 · vitamin-a: 15 · vitamin-b1-thiamine: 0.09 · vitamin-b2-riboflavin: 0.16 · vitamin-b3-niacin: 1.06 · vitamin-b5-pantothenic-acid: 0.42 · vitamin-b6: 0.21 · vitamin-b7-biotin: 2.1 · vitamin-b9-folate: 81.8 · vitamin-e: 2.01 · vitamin-k: 298.2 ·

Minerals

Sodium: 25.17 · Potassium: 283 · Calcium: 53 · Iron: 1.5 ·

Flower of Basil: composition reflects this culinary part relative to the whole ingredient.

History

1800

Garden cooks used basil blossoms as edible garnish and in herbal vinegars.

2000

Restaurant plating popularised basil flowers as aromatic micro-garnish.