Referred to as the “royal herb” by ancient Greeks, this summer herb is a member of the mint family. European is milder than our California and has a slight anise flavor.
What are the different types of basil?
Basil cultivars
| Ocimum basilicum cultivars | |
|---|---|
| Common name | Species and cultivars |
| Clove Basil | O. gratissimum |
| Greek basil (Greek spicy globe Basil) | O. minimum (alt. O. basilicum var. minimum) |
| Dwarf bush basil | O. minimum |
Where is basil in Europe?
Basil is undoubtedly the most loved and popular herb in Italy. Although we tend to associate it with Italy and other Mediterranean countries, it actually originated in India, and was brought to the Mediterranean via the spice routes in ancient times.
What is the difference between basil and Italian basil?
Italian basil is not a real cultivar (by cultivar I mean “cultural variety”) of basil. “Italian basil” a general term for the types of basil that may be used in Italian cooking. The two types of basil cultivars that are used in Italian cooking include Sweet Basil, the most common cultivar, and Genovese Basil.
Which type of basil is best?
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.
Are there two types of basil?
While sweet and Genovese are probably the most common varieties of basil, they are many other wonderful variations to choose from.
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.
Is there another name for basil?
Other Name(s): Albahaca, Basilic, Basilic Commun, Basilic Grand, Basilic Grand Vert, Basilic Romain, Basilic aux Sauces, Basilici Herba, Basilici Herba, Common Basil, Garden Basil, Krishna Tulsi, Munjariki, Ocimum basilicum, St. Josephwort, Surasa, Sweet Basil, Vanatulasi, Varvara, Visva Tulsi.
What is the common name of basil?
basil, (Ocimum basilicum), also called sweet basil, annual herb of the mint family (Lamiaceae), grown for its aromatic leaves.
What basil is used in Italy?
Italian Large Leaf
Italian Large Leaf is the most commonly used type of basil used in Italian cooking in Italy. It has a robust herbal flavor that is at home in dishes ranging from classic marinara and pesto to green leaf salads.
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.
Which type of basil is best for pesto?
Genovese
The Italians are onto a good thing, with basil varieties such as the classic ‘Genovese’ a staple of real, home cooking. Fragrant, near-glossy dark-green leaves make the best pesto, but look out too for red and crinkle-leaved varieties and the bushy Greek basil, whose tiny leaves pack a tasty punch.
Which basil is used in pizza?
Sweet, Italian Large Leaf, Napoletano, and Genovese Basil are all popular choices to top a pizza or season pizza sauces. However, almost any form of culinary basil can be used with a bit of practice.
Which 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.
Which basil is healthy?
Holy basil has been shown to boost your body’s health in a variety of ways. It can help protect against infection, lower your blood sugar, lower your cholesterol, ease joint pain, and protect your stomach.
Can I plant different types of basil together?
Yes, you can plant sweet basil and that basil together. Planting these next to each other will not affect the flavor of the basil leaves. Does basil cross pollinate? Different types of basil can cross pollinate when planted next to each other.
What kind of basil is sweet basil?
Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
The essence of summer, sweet basil is the widest grown type of basil. It has rounded, cup-shaped leaves with the classic spicy clove flavor beloved by gardeners and cooks. This type includes common and Genovese basils and is the one to grow if you want plenty of leaves for pesto.
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.
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.
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.
Is basil good for kidneys?
The holy basil, which is known for its various medicinal properties is one of the best kidney stone treatment at home. Medical experts suggest that some of the compounds found in basil leaves can stabilize the uric acid levels in the body, which hinders the formation of stones.
Marilyn Medina is a food expert with over 15 years of experience in the culinary industry. She has worked in some of the most prestigious kitchens in the world, including The Ritz-Carlton and The French Laundry.
What makes Marilyn stand out from other chefs is her unique approach to cooking. She believes that food should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their budget or dietary restrictions. Her recipes are simple, delicious, and healthy – perfect for anyone who wants to cook like a pro!