Help, What is this Herb?
- Thread starter seanjoburg
- Start date
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If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
Cheryl J
Chef Extraordinaire
It looks like mint to me. If it is, it will overtake your herb garden.
Welcome to Discuss Cooking!
Welcome to Discuss Cooking!
Andy M.
Certified Pretend Chef
Not sure it's mint. Mint leaves tend to be more pointed at the tip.
Pull off a leaf and crush it. The smell should be distinctive if it's mint.
Pull off a leaf and crush it. The smell should be distinctive if it's mint.
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pepperhead212
Executive Chef
Welcome to the forum!
That looks like some sort of mint - peppermint has the rounded leaves - though usually mints are not grown from seeds, and the seeds are very small - smaller than poppy seeds. Remove a leaf and crush it between your fingers - what does it smell like?
That looks like some sort of mint - peppermint has the rounded leaves - though usually mints are not grown from seeds, and the seeds are very small - smaller than poppy seeds. Remove a leaf and crush it between your fingers - what does it smell like?
pepperhead212
Executive Chef
Looks like we were all posting at the same time!
I just looked it up on Grower's Exchange (couldn't copy the link, for some reason), but didn't see anything exactly like that - most either pointed, or serrated edges. And the mints aren't growing in an irregular pattern like yours - two opposite each other, the next two at 90° to those, and so forth. The best test will be the smell of the leaves.
I just looked it up on Grower's Exchange (couldn't copy the link, for some reason), but didn't see anything exactly like that - most either pointed, or serrated edges. And the mints aren't growing in an irregular pattern like yours - two opposite each other, the next two at 90° to those, and so forth. The best test will be the smell of the leaves.
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All the mints I have ever seen, tend to grow taller than that before getting more leaves. If it's in the mint family, a cross section of the stem is square. You should be able to feel that. The mint family is huge and includes things like basil.
seanjoburg
Assistant Cook
Thanks for the responses guys. A lady from work identified it as Borage. Search results on on Google seem to indicate the same. I'll know for sure once it flowers
Andy M.
Certified Pretend Chef
Thanks for getting back to us.
Given the description I read about the fuzzy texture of the leaves, it's not worth the effort.
Given the description I read about the fuzzy texture of the leaves, it's not worth the effort.
pepperhead212
Executive Chef
That makes sense. Though borage is used as a culinary herb in some areas, it is used more as a medicinal herb, usually using the roots. And you may want to research the side effects, though, if I recall, the seeds were the main culprit.
seanjoburg
Assistant Cook
So I guess theres not much use for it in cooking. A pity as there's so much of it growing.
seanjoburg
Assistant Cook
And thanks for welcoming me to the forum!
GotGarlic
Chef Extraordinaire
Hi and welcome to Discuss Cooking [emoji2]
Borage has a light flavor similar to cucumber and is often used in salads. Sage is also fuzzy, but I use it anyway
Give it a try.
Hi and welcome to Discuss Cooking [emoji2]
Borage has a light flavor similar to cucumber and is often used in salads. Sage is also fuzzy, but I use it anyway
^^
This
I used to grew Borage once. I occasionally used it in salads but I more used the tiny blue flowers in ice cubes. Loved them!
They are self seeding and could easily take over the herb garden if not checked.
Am just this year starting some from seed as I have a place for them to be left alone. Unfortunately I am not known for my seed starting skills. Just have to wait and see - they are only at the 2/4 leaf stage as of yet.
They are self seeding and could easily take over the herb garden if not checked.
Am just this year starting some from seed as I have a place for them to be left alone. Unfortunately I am not known for my seed starting skills. Just have to wait and see - they are only at the 2/4 leaf stage as of yet.
Linda0818
Head Chef
Well that's a new one on me. I've never even heard of Borage.
Is it similar in taste to any other herbs?
Is it similar in taste to any other herbs?
As GG said - a light cucumber taste.
