Basil, like many herbs, tastes best when used immediately after harvest, but if an abundance of basil grows in your garden, you may not have time to use it all before the season ends. Drying basil allows you to preserve your harvest for many months. There are several method options for drying purple ruffle basil.
How do you preserve purple basil?
Directions:
- Remove fresh basil leaves from the stem, then wash and dry completely.
- Use a food processor to puree the basil leaves with olive oil.
- Freeze the pureed basil in an ice cube tray, after frozen remove cubes and then store in a large resealable plastic bag or freezer-safe container.
What can Purple Basil be used for?
pesto
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.
What is the difference between basil and purple 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.
Is it better to freeze basil or dry it?
Is your garden overflowing with basil? You can dry it or freeze it, but freezing retains the fresh taste better. Before you start, wash basil in cold water and dry; a salad spinner works well for this step.
How do you dry red basil?
Instructions
- Wash and pat dry your basil.
- Spread the leaves evenly and in a single layer in a herb drying rack in a place with good air circulation, out of the sun.
- Allow the leaves to dry for a few weeks.
- Place the whole leaves in an airtight glass container in a dark and dry place.
Is all purple basil edible?
Purple basil can be used in any recipe that calls for sweet basil, although the flavor is more intense than traditional sweet basil. Beyond making a gorgeous statement in your garden, purple basil is also a nutritional powerhouse with vitamins A, C, K, B6, iron, calcium, potassium, and tryptophan.
Does purple basil come back every year?
There are a few varieties of purple basil, but all are cultivars of the same basil plant, which is a true annual. Therefore purple basil grows from seed and die again all in one season, and do not return year after year.
Is wild purple basil edible?
The Ocimum basilicum earned its nickname “purple basil” from its edible deep purple-colored leaves. Its leaves are used for culinary and also medicinal purposes.
What makes Purple Basil turn green?
Purple basil has the tendency to turn green because of the lack of anthocyanin, the pigment responsible for the intense purple color. The level of this pigment can change due to: Pigment fading: lack of light. Pigment Inheritance: purple basil generate green-purple offspring.
How do you pick basil without killing the plant?
Cut about ¼-inch above where leaves are coming off the main stem. Don’t take off more than a third of the height at once, and snip from different parts of the plant to encourage branching all the way around. As your basil keeps sending out new growth, continue to prune it the same way.
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.
Can you eat amethyst basil?
Amethyst basil is a great culinary companion and substitute for sweeter varieties of Basil, ‘Amethyst’ makes a great seasoning for pastas, pizzas, and sauces as well as eaten raw with olive oil, mozzarella cheese and tomatoes. Try using its beautiful deep purple leaves for garnishes, too!
What is Purple Basil called?
Opal Basil
Also called Purple Basil, a dramatic dark hue sets this basil plant apart from the rest. The entire plant is eggplant-colored, including the flowers, stems, and large leaves.
What can I do with large amounts of basil?
How to Use Basil
- Top whole leaves onto pizza.
- Finish pasta with whole or thinly sliced leaves.
- Blend it into sauces.
- Puree it into soups.
- Chop it up to add to a salad.
- Use it to garnish avocado toast.
- Turn it into an ice cream topping! Jazz up vanilla ice cream with fresh strawberries, basil, and a balsamic reduction.
How do you dry basil naturally?
Yes, you can air-dry basil! The best way to do this is to wash the basil leaves, dry them with a towel, and then tie them up using their stems. Then, hang them in a cool, dry place (ideally high in your kitchen). It’ll take 4 to 5 weeks to fully air-dry though!
How do you preserve basil for the winter?
Wash the leaves and dry them with a paper towel. Then gather them in bunches and wrap the stems with a twist tie. Hang them upside down for a week or two and then break the leaves off the stems into an airtight container and you will have dried basil for the winter. Basil lasts this way for about a year.
Do you wash basil before drying?
Do You Wash Basil Before Drying? Yes! Simply fill a sink with cool water and gently swish stems around to clean them. Lay them out, single layer, on a towel or hang to dry.
How do you dry basil without it turning brown?
How do you dry basil so it doesn’t turn brown? To dry basil so it doesn’t turn brown, use the lowest temperature setting on your dehydrator, and ensure you never overcook it in the microwave or oven.
How long does dried basil last?
Dried herbs typically last 1–3 years. Examples include: basil.
Is purple basil invasive?
This plant is easy to grow and reseeds well. It makes for good contrast of color among other plants. Can be considered invasive under good conditions but easy to control.