To top off your kitchen and dining experiences this year, grow some of our favourite unusual herbs you’re unlikely to find in stores.

Borage 

The flavours of borage are difficult to pin down, described as both sweet and salty with a mild cucumber taste. This makes the leaves very versatile in the kitchen. This plant also has stunning blue flowers that attract masses of bees to the garden and are also edible. 

Summer Savory

Savory is an ideal herb for meat dishes, with a gentle peppery taste that makes it popular in warm dishes from cold regions like Canada. Summer savory is sweeter and milder than winter savory, which has a strong earthy taste. 

Lovage

A wonderful leafy plant in the garden, lovage is just as good in the kitchen. It has strong flavours of celery and parsley that make it a great addition to flavour-packed stews. It also has a strong earthy scent with a touch of anise.  

Chervil

Chervil has a similar flavour profile to lovage, focused on the parsley more than celery. It has a gentler taste, more suitable for warm dinner dishes. Use in salad dressings or mix into mayonnaise for an interesting and unique condiment. 

Lettuce Leaf Basil

This unique basil variety has interesting textured leaves with a range of flavours. You can look forward to the fresh tastes of mint with a touch of pepper and clove – a combination unlike any other herb available. 

Featured image: Kieran Murphy via Unsplash