Dark Opal basil leaves have a fragrant aroma and mild taste best suited for flavoring both fresh and cooked preparations. The purple leaves can be lightly torn or crushed and tossed into green salads, used whole as an edible garnish on fruit and cheese platters, or roughly chopped and mixed into pasta and stir-fries.
Is dark opal basil edible?
Dark Opal Basil is an annual herb that is commonly grown for its edible qualities. The fragrant oval deep purple leaves which emerge burgundy in spring are usually harvested from early summer to early fall. The leaves have a delicious taste.
What can I do with dark opal basil?
While most basils are grown just for their leaves and flavor, Dark Opal Basil is also very ornamental in the garden. A popular herb for growing at home, both in gardens and containers, it can be used for tomato sauce, spaghetti, stews, fish, vinegars and salads. All-America Selections winner (1962).
Can you eat dark purple basil?
Purple Basil is great for…
Purple Basil leaves have a beautiful, coppery glow and clove-like, slightly spicy flavour. Use them in salads, for pesto or preserved in oils and vinegars.
Are all varieties of basil edible?
Almost every basil variety is grown as a culinary herb. And not just the leaves, the flowers, and stems of the basil are perfectly edible. You can use the flowers to make tea or sprinkle them on your salad and pasta to make them look prettier.
What does opal basil taste like?
You’ll appreciate the light, sweet and mild (not overpowering!) flavor in our fresh opal basil. The taste starts with a touch of lemon-lime on the palate, with a succulent and crunchy texture. Leaves are light to dark purple, and our fresh basil is shipped worldwide to top chefs and restaurants.
How tall does dark opal basil grow?
about 18 inches tall
Planting, Growing, and Harvesting:
Plants can grow up to about 18 inches tall. Pinch off any flowers that show up on the basil to help keep up the production of new leaves.
What kind of basil do you use for pasta?
Spicy Globe Basil
This is a dwarf variety that grows only up to 8-10 inches tall. It tastes mild and is a great addition to soups, salads, and pasta.
How do you propagate dark opal basil?
Plant seeds of this basil in a light, well-draining soil that’s amended with well-composted materials. Allow 3 to 14 days for germination. Move into a partially sunny spot as leaves develop. Keep the soil consistently moist while germinating, but not wet, as young plants may damp off and fail.
What kind of basil is used for tea?
Tulsi or holy basil is known for its restorative properties makes a wonderful tea. It can also be used in cooking and provides a sharper flavor than a sweet basil, but is just as complex.
What is the difference between purple and green basil?
Purple Basil
As its name suggests, this type of basil isn’t green like most herbs. It’s a vibrant purple color with larger-than-normal leaves. It’s not as sweet as other basil varieties, and it has a strong clove flavor.
What’s the difference between purple basil and sweet basil?
Appearance: Thai basil has purple stems, while sweet basil has green stems. The leaves of Thai basil are narrower than sweet basil leaves and have a slightly serrated edge. Sweet basil leaves also tend to be more delicate than sturdy Thai basil leaves.
Is purple basil holy basil?
Thai basil can have both purple and green ones (depending on the variety) while holy basil has only green leaves; Thai basil leaves have a smooth margin while holy basil ones have a toothed one; and. Thai basil has a strong licorice sweet taste while holy basil presents a pepper flavor with a note of clove.
What is the best tasting 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.
Why does my sweet basil taste like licorice?
Why does my basil smell like licorice? The smell of licorice comes from a chemical compound called anethole, which is also present in anise. It is also found in fennel. Anethole is present in some varieties of basil, giving it a distinct smell and flavor.
Can you use any type of basil for pesto?
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.
Where is opal basil from?
Dark opal basil is a cultivar of Ocimum basilicum (sweet basil), developed by John Scarchuk and Joseph Lent at the University of Connecticut in the 1950s. With deep purple, sometimes mottled leaves, it is grown as much for its decorative appeal as for its culinary value.
Which basil is the sweetest?
The most common basil is ‘Genovese basil‘ (Ocimum basilicum), which is often referred to as sweet basil. The two names are interchangeable.
What variety of basil is the sweetest?
Sweet Basil
Varieties include Genovese, Napoletano, Italian Large Leaf and Lettuce Leaf. Plants range from 14 to 30 inches tall and are prolific in hot, sunny locations. Harvest the top four leaves often to keep the plant growing and sweetly flavored.
Is drinking basil water good for you?
A: Yes, basil tea is a healthy and refreshing beverage that will uplift your mood with added health benefits. Basil contains vitamin A, vitamin K, iron, manganese, calcium, and essential oils. Plus, it has the goodness of antioxidants that fight free radicals that cause harm to our body in various ways.
Why did my purple basil turn green?
If the quantity of light is reduced, leaves will turn green due to dominant chlorophyll. This is why you will be able to notice changes in the plant according to seasons. Your purple basil will likely lose its color in autumn and winter, because of the lack of light during these colder months.