Boragsse

This herb comes from the Middle East and grows throughout Europe and the U.S. The rather hairy leaves (when young and small) and the beautiful blue-purple flowers add a cucumber taste to teas, salads and ravioli stuffings. In Mediterranean countries, the stalks are sometimes cooked as a vegetable. The herb, which is said to have an exhilarating effect when eaten or mixed with wine, is easy to grow from seed.

In Iran, the purple flowers are used to make a tea, which is said to have a soothing effect. It can be found fresh in farmers’ markets, and dried flowers are available in specialty stores and Persian groceries.