Author: Marilyn Medina

Basil leaves are glossy and oval-shaped, with smooth or slightly toothed edges that typically cup slightly; the leaves are arranged oppositely along the square stems. The small flowers are borne in terminal clusters and range in colour from white to magenta. What is basil known for? Basil is one of the main ingredients in pesto, […]

Basil, like many herbs, is grown for its foliage, not fruit or flowers. Does basil have a fruit? Basil develops miniature flowers that appear in spikes on top of a plant. They can be white, pinkish or mauve in color. Flowers are pollinated by insects. After successful pollination, each flower turns into dry fruit called […]

Origins of Basil There are some indications that basil may have originated even farther east than India with ancient records from 807 A.D. suggesting that sweet basil was used in the Hunan region of China at that time. Where did basil originally come from? Basil is likely native to India and is widely grown as […]

boy’s. Basil is a boy’s name of Greek origin. Along with referring to the eponymous herb, Basil also translates to “royal” and “kingly.” It originally stems from the Greek name Basileios, who was a ruler of the Byzantine Empire. Is Basil a boy name? Basil Origin and Meaning The name Basil is both a boy’s […]

Basil thrives in moist soil, so check moisture levels often and water deeply once the top inch becomes dry. As basil plants grow to 4 to 6 inches tall, pinch off the topmost branches to promote more side shoots and a taller plant overall. Be sure to pinch off blooms to prevent your plant from […]

Some ancient cultures considered basil a magnificent, royal or kingly herb. Some say “Basil” is derived from the Greek word basilikon for “royal.” As a passport to help the deceased to enter Paradise, basil was used as a botanical in embalming bodies. It was found with the mummies of ancient Egypt. What is basil in […]

What is this? Sweet basil is one type of basil plant, so they aren’t precisely the same thing. Ocimum basilicum, part of the Lamiaceae or mint family, is a herb used in cooking worldwide, as well as for medicinal or cosmetic purposes. Most other types of basil are cultivars of Ocimum basilicum or sweet basil. […]

Hold 4 to 5 basil leaves in your hand and roll to form a thin cylinder. Hold the rolled basil leaves on one hand and knife on the other hand. Now, chop along the edge/ concentric rings of the cylinder to get thin, fine shreds, Shredded basil can be used as toppings on pizzas, as […]

Italian Large Leaf Basil is the most commonly used in pesto. This variety offers a strong flavor for a robust fullness. When using fresh basil to prepare pesto, crush the leaves first to release the flavor, then add them to the olive oil. What kind of basil do you use for pasta? Green Ruffles This […]

Not many people are aware that basil can act as a perfect home remedy for kidney stones. It is a rich source of acetic acid and helps to break down the kidney stones. It has been found to reduce the increased uric acid levels which can be indicative of stones, if left unattended. Which leaves […]

Sweet and fragrant basil complements tomato-based dishes including pizza, pasta and marinara sauce. It also pairs well with vegetable, chicken, pork or seafood. What does basil pair well with? Besides eggplant, zucchini and squash, basil pairs well with artichokes, mushrooms, and green vegetables including salad greens. Tear basil into shreds or roughly chop it and […]

Basil Cold Hardiness The cold tolerance of basil begins to suffer when the mercury drops into the 40’s (F.) but really affects the plant at 32 degrees F. (0 C.). The herb may not die, but basil cold damage will be in evidence. Can basil handle 40 degrees? Basil can tolerate temperatures down to 50 […]

The primary culprit is lack of pruning. Basil needs regular pruning or cutting back to facilitate a robust, bushy plant with plenty of aromatic leaves. How do you grow fragrant basil? Choose a spot in your garden that is sunny, however basil will also do well in a partly shaded position. Sow seeds into well […]

They’ll lend an herby depth to your finished product, and since you’re straining the stuff anyways, you don’t even have to chop them up—just toss them in and simmer away. You can also chop them finely and stir them into pretty much any soup right at the end of cooking to add a pop of […]

Basil leaves are glossy and oval-shaped, with smooth or slightly toothed edges that typically cup slightly; the leaves are arranged oppositely along the square stems. The small flowers are borne in terminal clusters and range in colour from white to magenta. How do I know what kind of basil I have? The easiest way to […]