While sweet and Genovese are probably the most common varieties of basil, they are many other wonderful variations to choose from.
Is there different types of basil?
BasilLower classifications
How do I know what kind of basil I have?
The easiest way to identify basil, without even looking at it, is to smell it. Anyone who has ever touched a basil plant can instantly identify the smell that wafts from it. Lemon basil, cinnamon basil and Thai basil all smell like basil mixed with something else.
What is the difference between Greek basil and Italian basil?
Small leaved Greek basil is the best type for sauces, while the larger fleshy leaves of the popular Italian basil is best for salads and the famous Genoese basil sauce, pesto, which goes especially well with pasta.
What is the most common type of basil?
Sweet basil
Sweet basil is the most common variety at the grocery store. If your recipe doesn’t specify what kind of basil to use, it probably calls for sweet basil. This type of basil has dark green, glossy leaves and a sweet but slightly spicy flavor.
What type of basil is best for cooking?
1. Sweet Basil. It is the most used and popular basil variety to grow. Sweet basil is used extensively in cooking for its aromatic foliage.
Are basil and sweet basil the same?
Sweet basil is a sub-type of common basil with milder or licoricey taste. It is the best choice for Italian sauces and soups and for making pesto. Sweet basil leaves can sustain better in high-temperature cooking than common basil, so they are widely used in the South Asian cuisine.
Are all basil varieties edible?
Almost all basil varieties are cultivated as culinary herbs. When talking about the different types of basil, most people are familiar with the sweet basil varieties used in Italian cuisine, but many different types of basil are used in Asian cooking as well.
Which basil is used in pasta?
Sweet Basil
This basil cultivar is the best choice for Italian sauces and soups and for making pesto. Varieties include Genovese, Napoletano, Italian Large Leaf and Lettuce Leaf.
What is the best tasting basil?
The best variety to grow for flavor is sweet basil
Thanks to its incredible fragrance and flavor, sweet basil is one of the most popular and widely used herbs around the world.
Which is the sweetest basil?
Cinnamon basil.
Also known as Mexican spice basil, this variety is sweet and has a cinnamon flavor that makes it ideal for baked goods and kinds of vinegar.
What type of basil is used in pesto?
Sweet Basil (see above): The most commonly found type in the U.S. and the most familiar, sweet basil has smooth, bright green leaves that are essential in pesto. Genovese basil is a variety of sweet basil that has a floral and delicate aroma.
Does basil grow back every year?
Basil Plants Do Not Come Back Every Year
Then they’re done as soon as the first frost arrives! The lifespan of a basil plant is less than one year in any climate that experiences frost. Annual garden herbs like basil die with the first frost, roots and all. It won’t perk back up in spring after the winter freeze.
What kind of basil is used in Italian cooking?
Sweet Basil (Ocimum bacilicum), and its close relativebasilico genovese, are the only varieties used in Italian cooking to avoid the mint flavor common in other types.
Is it OK to eat basil leaves?
Basil is generally safe when consumed in small amounts, but a few precautions are warranted. Basil leaves are high in vitamin K, which helps blood clot. High intakes could interfere with blood-thinning drugs, such as warfarin ( 37 ).
What kind of basil should I plant?
The most common type of basil is sweet basil; other types include purple basil (less sweet than common basil), lemon basil (lemon flavor), and Thai basil (licorice flavor). Basil is easy to grow, but it only grows outdoors in the summer—and only once the soil has warmed up nicely—so plan accordingly.
What are the side effects of basil?
Basil contains a chemical, estragole, which has caused liver cancer in laboratory mice. Bleeding disorders: Basil oils and extracts might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding in people with bleeding disorders. Low blood pressure: Basil extracts might lower blood pressure.
Which basil does not taste like licorice?
Stop here if you don’t like the flavor or star anise or black licorice – because that’s what Thai Basil is all about.
Does basil get rid of mosquitoes?
As one of the most pungent herbs, I can easily see why basil makes the list as a natural mosquito repellent. It makes sense, because basil is known as the perfect companion plant to tomatoes to help keep bugs away.
How can you tell the difference between basil and Thai basil?
Flavor: Taste is the most noticeable difference between sweet basil and Thai basil. Appearance: Thai basil has purple stems, while sweet basil has green stems. Cooking temperatures: The sturdiness of Thai basil leaves enables them to hold up when exposed to high cooking temperatures, such as in soups.
How can you tell the difference between Thai basil and Italian basil?
The basil that you’re more likely to recognize at the grocery store is most likely Italian sweet basil. It’s got a shinier finish and has much more round leaves that tend to be a little more floppy and delicate. In terms of taste, Thai basil smells like anise and has a more licorice smell with a slightly spicy taste.
Justin Shelton is a professional cook. He’s been in the industry for over 10 years, and he loves nothing more than creating delicious dishes for others to enjoy. Justin has worked in some of the best kitchens in the country, and he’s always looking for new challenges and ways to improve his craft. When he’s not cooking, Justin enjoys spending time with his wife and son. He loves exploring new restaurants and trying out different cuisines.