Thai basil.
Thai basil is strong and bold, with a spicy, licorice-like flavor. The leaves are smaller and pointier, and the plant produces beautiful purple flowers.
What basil smells like black licorice?
The same plant goes by many names — Thai basil, sweet basil, Thai sweet basil, anise basil, licorice basil. It’s available at Asian groceries, and you’ll know it by its distinctive scent and taste.
Does Thai basil have a licorice taste?
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.
Is licorice basil the same as Thai basil?
Thai basil may sometimes be called chi neang vorng, anise basil or licorice basil, in reference to its anise- and licorice-like scent and taste, but it is different from the Western strains bearing these same names.
Why does Thai basil taste like licorice?
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. Certain basil varieties have this compound which gives them their distinct smell and flavor, often described as either like licorice and anise.
Is there a licorice basil?
What is Licorice Basil? Licorice basil is a strong, flavorful variety of basil which grows into vibrant green plants with hints of purple on the foliage. A type of Thai basil, these plants are not only beautiful, but reward growers as an immensely fragrant addition to the home garden.
Can you eat licorice basil?
Description/Taste
Licorice basil, a Western strain of Thai basil, is also known as anise basil as it has distinctive anise flavored qualities and aromatics. It is a lanky plant with pointed green leaves and signature burgundy tinted spiked flowers. Both the leaves and the flowers are edible.
What’s the difference between Thai basil and Genovese basil?
Genovese basil is the plant name for the most commonly used type of basil in western cooking. Thai sweet basil is quite different in appearance to typical Genovese basil. It has a more solid stem, and thus the herb branches are often sturdier while regular basil is more delicate.
What is the difference between Thai and Italian basil?
The basil that you’re more likely to recognize at the grocery store is most likely Italian sweet basil. It’s got a shinier finish and has much more round leaves that tend to be a little more floppy and delicate. In terms of taste, Thai basil smells like anise and has a more licorice smell with a slightly spicy taste.
What’s the difference between Thai basil and ordinary 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.
What do you use licorice basil for?
Licorice Basil is used to add a mild licorice flavor to recipes – it is especially good with fish, in salads, or to flavor candy! Purple spikes make this an attractive as well as a tasty addition to your herb garden!
Is Thai basil the same as Vietnamese basil?
In Thailand, Thai basil is called bai horapa, while in Vietnam, it is known as rau húng quế. Interestingly, rau hung que literally means “cinnamon mint,” though Thai basil is a true basil. This true basil is made distinct by its small leaves, smaller than its western and European counterparts.
What type of basil is used in pho?
Thai Basil (O.
Thai basil, as its name suggests, is used more frequently in Asian dishes. It withstands heat better than sweet basil, so may be added before cooking. It’s also served fresh with soups like Vietnamese pho or in salads.
Can regular basil be substituted for Thai basil?
No Thai Basil? No problem! Some recipes call for Thai basil, a pungent variety that can be hard to find in grocery stores. To duplicate its flavor, use common “Italian” basil and add a few fresh mint sprigs to the recipe.
What does holy basil taste like?
All varieties of Holy Basil are astringent, pungent, warm and sweet, with notes of peppermint, cloves, licorice, or lemon. Rama has a flavor profile that is more spicy or clove-like, while the Vana variety is more fragrant and sweet, with an anise taste.
Whats the best kind of 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. It’s also really easy to grow and will give you an abundance of big leaves you can toss onto your meals.
Does Thai basil smell like licorice?
It has silvery leaves and a spicy licorice flavor that comes from the compound anethole present in anise. ‘ Thai basil is also sometimes called licorice basil, because of its anise and licorice-like smell and taste.
What does Persian basil taste like?
Ocimum basilicum ‘Persian’ (Sweet Basil) is a vigorous annual herb boasting pleasant tasting leaves that are excellent for adding flavor to soups, sauces, fish and meat dishes. It has a strong, spicy anise-clove flavor. As an added bonus, it is late to produce flowers, which often make basil develop a bitter taste.
What is blue spice basil?
Blue Spice is the most fragrant basil variety. A strong spicy aroma with vanilla undertones makes this a delicious addition to fruit salad and savory dishes. Dense light purple spiked flowers make for a beautiful addition to any potted arrangement or garden.
Who should not take holy basil?
Holy basil is probably safe for most people; however, Pregnant and breastfeeding women, women who are trying to become pregnant, and people with type 2 diabetes, hypothyroidism, and those undergoing surgery should avoid holy basil.
Is Genovese basil the same as sweet basil?
The most common basil is ‘Genovese basil’ (Ocimum basilicum), which is often referred to as sweet basil. The two names are interchangeable. Sweet or Genovese basil both grow in U. S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 10 and above as perennials.