anise.
Description. Thai basil is sturdy and compact, growing up to 45 cm (1 ft 6 in), and has shiny green, slightly serrated, narrow leaves with a sweet, anise-like scent and hints of licorice, along with a slight spiciness lacking in sweet basil.
Does Thai basil smell good?
The smell of Thai basil can be likened to that of anise or an ever so subtle alcoholic ‘sambuca’ scent. It’s aroma is strong and spicy, complimenting other commonly used ingredients in Southeast Asian cooking and recipes.
Does Thai basil smell like lemon?
Lemon basil, hoary basil, Thai lemon basil, or Lao basil, (Ocimum × africanum) is a hybrid between basil (Ocimum basilicum) and American basil (Ocimum americanum). The herb is grown primarily in northeastern Africa and southern Asia for its fragrant lemon scent, and is used in cooking.
How would you describe Thai basil?
Thai basil is of Southeast Asian origin, and is a common ingredient among the cuisines of this region. It has a slightly spicy, licorice-like flavor. In terms of appearance, Thai basil has a purple stem and small, sturdy leaves with serrated edges.
What does basil scent smell like?
Their study, published in the Oct. 4 issue of the journal PLoS ONE, provides a three-dimensional snapshot of the enzyme basil Eugenol Synthase frozen in mid-action as it produces eugenol, the fragrant molecule responsible for basil’s spicy overtones reminiscent of cloves and cinnamon.
What is special about Thai basil?
Unlike sweet basil, Thai basil’s sturdy leaves retain structure and flavor even when cooked. That means that it can be added fresh as a garnish, to provide an herbaceous kick, but it can also be added during the cooking process, to infuse the whole dish with its aroma.
Which basil is most fragrant?
Holy Basil is highly fragrant with a spicy, sweet musky scent. The flavor is best when cooked since eaten raw it can be slightly bitter. Holy basil is used in Indian cuisine, especially in meat curries. Holy basil is also known as tulsi which means the incomparable one in South Asia.
Does Thai basil smell like black licorice?
Thai basil is also sometimes called licorice basil, because of its anise and licorice-like smell and taste.
What is another name for Thai basil?
Thai Basil is also know as Sweet Basil or Asian Basil and the Thai name is bai horapa. Theses tropical varieties of basil referred to as “Thai Basil” are slightly sweeter in flavor and are more stable when cooked than the Mediterranean basil.
Is there a difference between Thai basil and regular basil?
Flavor: Taste is the most noticeable difference between sweet basil and Thai basil. Thai basil leaves have a distinctive flavor with bold notes of licorice and spice. True to its common name, sweet basil has a sweeter flavor and more peppery notes.
Why does Thai basil smell like licorice?
Why Does Basil Smell Like Licorice? Basil smelling like licorice is normal. The smell of licorice is attributed to a chemical compound present in both licorice and anise known as anethole. Anethole can be found in fennel as well.
What does basil smell and taste like?
Regular basil has a sweet and savory taste profile with peppery and minty undertones. Some also say it has a hint of anise. Additionally, basil has a clove-like and slightly sweet aroma. You will instantly think of pesto the moment you smell its leaves.
Does Thai basil taste like mint?
Different kinds of basil will boast slightly varied taste features. For example, Thai flavor will lean more on the anise, spicy, and licorice side, while sweet basil will be fresh, peppery, and a bit minty.
What is the nicest smelling herb?
The 13 most aromatic herbs
- Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
- Mint (Mentha spp.)
- Lavender (Lavandula spp.)
- Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
- Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)
- Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
- Pineapple sage (Salvia elegans)
- Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis)
What is the sweetest smelling herb?
Lavender (Lavandula)
When you start considering sweet-smelling herbs, one of the first plants to come to mind will almost certainly be the lavender plant. Lavender plants resemble a stand of tall grass, reaching 20 to 20 inches tall with the same spread when the plant is in bloom.
What herb smells like vanilla?
This week’s mystery plant — Trilisa odoratissima, also known as the “vanilla plant” or “deer-tongue” — is a resident of the low-country, one with an interesting smell of its own. To me, the foliage has a scent like vanilla, mixed with honey and warm leather.
What do I use Thai basil for?
Taste and Uses
Fresh sprigs of Thai basil can be served with vegetable platters and nibbled on with spicy salads and chili dips. It can also be used in salads, vegetable dishes, or as a popular garnish for soup.
Is Thai basil a laxative?
This chemical compound has anti-inflammatory properties that ensure that your digestive tract is healthy. Basil benefits your digestive and nervous system while ensuring that you have optimal digestion and a proper pH balance in your body. Basil also relieves constipation by acting as a bulk-forming laxative.
Can I eat Thai basil raw?
Thai basil is wonderful eaten raw, slivered, and added to salads, both your plain old cucumber-tomato salad or something meaty like northern Thai larb. But its hardy leaves stand up especially well to cooking—their flavor infuses readily into food and the leaves don’t wilt quite as much as Italian sweet basil’s would.
What is the strongest smelling plant?
5 Strongest Smelling Flowers
- Lily of the Valley.
- Gardenia.
- Chocolate Cosmos.
- Four o’clock.
- Sweat Pea.
- Sweet Alyssum.
- Frangipani.
- Wisteria.
What is the tastiest basil?
The best variety to grow for flavor is sweet basil
Sweet basil, specifically a variety of sweet basil called Genovese basil, is the star of the Italian classic, pesto, as well as many other sauces and soups.