At a glance, the most distinguishable difference is the color of the stems: Thai basil has a purple stem and sweet basil has a green stem.
What is purple basil called?
Ocimum basilicum L., commonly known by many as “purple basil” is an easy-to-grow aromatic herb with a sweet, spicy flavor. There are scores of basil varieties, most of which have green-colored leaves. The Ocimum basilicum earned its nickname “purple basil” from its edible deep purple-colored leaves.
What is another name for 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.
What basil is closest to Thai basil?
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.
Are basil and Thai basil the same?
Thai basil is a variety of basil (Ocimum basilicum) best known for its use in Asian and Thai cuisine. Unlike its cousin, Italian basil (aka Genovese basil), Thai basil has sturdy, resilient leaves that stand up well to extended cooking times and prolonged heat.
What is purple basil good for?
Health benefits
Like other basil, Purple basil is packed with Vitamin K, which helps with blood clotting and aids in bone strength. Used medicinally for its antioxidants and antibacterial properties, basil oil provides an immune system boost and combats aging and skin ailments.
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.
What type of basil is Thai basil?
Thai basil is a type of basil with an anise or black licorice flavor that’s native to Southeast Asia. It has a purple stem, purple flowers, and thin, dark green leaves. It’s common in Southeast Asian cuisine, including Thai, Cambodian, Lao, and Vietnamese recipes.
Are there different types of Thai basil?
Thai cuisine utilises three main type of basil: Thai basil, holy basil, and lemon basil. A fourth less common basil is tree basil. The latter two are the most difficult to find outside of Thailand and the first in the list the most commonly available.
What kind of basil do you use for Thai cooking?
Thai basil is a variety of basil (Ocimum basilicum) best known for its use in Asian cuisine. Unlike its cousin, Italian basil (aka Genovese basil), Thai basil has sturdy, resilient leaves that stand up well to extended cooking times and prolonged heat.
What is Thai basil used 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.
Can I substitute Thai basil for sweet basil?
The taste of Thai basil is very different from the familiar taste of basil. Its licorice and anise flavor doesn’t work well with Italian cuisine, so you can’t substitute Thai basil for sweet basil in the dishes above. However, this basil variety is irreplaceable in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.
Which basil is best for pesto?
Italian Large Leaf Italian Large Leaf Basil
Italian Large Leaf
Italian Large Leaf Basil is the most commonly used in pesto. This variety offers a strong flavor for a robust fullness. When using fresh basil to prepare pesto, crush the leaves first to release the flavor, then add them to the olive oil.
Can I eat Thai basil raw?
Thai basil stands up to cooking a little better than sweet basil, making it a good choice for soups, stir-fries, and curries. It can also be eaten raw sprinkled over salads or cold noodles dishes, and used interchangeably with sweet basils in most recipes.
Is Thai basil good in spaghetti sauce?
You can’t really taste the anise/fennel flavor of the Thais basil but it lends something special to the dish. Although, you could certainly make a fabulous sauce using all regular basil, with our without additional fresh herbs of your choice. And, don’t take the amounts in the recipe as written in stone.
What are the different types of basil?
BasilLower classifications
Can you use purple basil for cooking?
Cooking: Because of its color and how it complements the color of other fruits and vegetables, purple basil is great when you are making fresh vegetable salad. You can also use this when making pesto. Purple basils are also great if you use them for rice dishes.
Can you eat purple basil flowers?
Basil flowers are perfectly edible. In terms of fragrance and flavor, the flowers are similar, if milder, than the leaves. Sometimes, flowers can be somewhat bitter, so test them first. When sprinkled over a salad, basil flowers impart a mild basil flavor and add a decorative touch.
What makes purple basil purple?
Purple basil: origin and characteristics
The reddish-purple appearance of the leaves is caused by a high content of dark blue pigments, i.e. anthocyanins, in the plant cells. Tip: The pigments in the leaves develop more intensely when the plants are in a sunny location.
What is the difference between sweet basil and purple basil?
Purple Basil
It’s not as sweet as other basil varieties, and it has a strong clove flavor. We don’t recommend cooking it, as it turns an unappealing black color when heated, but it’s perfect for use in salads, pesto or any of your other favorite ways to use fresh basil.
Should you cut flowers off Thai basil?
Check your basil plants frequently for flowers, and if you see any, pinch them off right away. If the flower stems are too woody to pinch (often the case with Thai basil), cut them off with shears. A plant allowed to flower will soon go to seed, stop growing, and die, so be vigilant about removing flowers.