There are two varieties of basil said to have a licorice flavour – Thai basil (Ocimum basilicum thyrsiflorus) and Licorice Basil (O. basilicum ‘licorice’).
Is there a basil that tastes like licorice?
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 plant has a licorice taste?
Anise hyssop is a feast for the senses: beautiful to look at, and you only need to touch the plant to release the fascinating liquorice fragrance. Anise hyssop (botanical name Agastache foeniculum) is a mint-like herb with leaves that taste of aniseed and smell like liquorice.
What flavor does basil give off?
The flavor of basil is a balance between sweet and savory, with hints of mint, anise, and pepper. While the initial flavor has pronounced tones of black pepper, this aromatic herb ultimately adds a hint of sweetness to any dish.
What can I do with licorice basil?
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!
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.
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.
What spices taste like licorice?
The licorice taste and aroma found in a broad range of ingredients and seasonings – including fennel, fennel seed, anise seed and star anise – are being used in dishes from appetizers to desserts. Fennel, a celery-like anise-flavored vegetable, is increasingly common in produce markets.
What herb makes black licorice?
Glycyrrhiza glabra
Licorice root, which is considered one of the world’s oldest herbal remedies, comes from the root of the licorice plant (Glycyrrhiza glabra) ( 1 ).
What tastes like black licorice?
Anise and Star Anise
In the case of licorice, it’s most often compared to anise or fennel.
What should basil taste like?
The taste of basil will depend on the variety. Sweet basil has a fresh aroma with a subtle peppery flavor and a hint of mint. Other varieties taste of citrus and spice. Thai basil is more savory with a spicy licorice flavor.
What does old basil taste like?
Additionally, the taste of basil leaves change on the same plant, depending on where the plant is in its lifecycle. Generally, basil leaves taste bitter after they’ve bolted, or flowered and gone to seed.
What is the difference between basil and holy basil?
The main difference between Thai basil and holy basil is their flavor. Thai basil has a sweet, anise quality whereas holy basil is found to be spicy and peppery. What is this? Holy basil can often be called Thai holy basil making it confusing to differentiate that they are, in fact, not the same herb.
Why does basil smell like liquorice?
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.
Why does my basil smell weird?
basil plants can produce different scents akin to cat urine, lemon, licorice, or even cinnamon due to the presence of particular compounds like mercaptan, anethole, citral, cinnamate. Some of these compounds can be externally introduced while others are naturally produced by specific basil varieties.
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.
Is basil good for kidneys?
Kidney Health
Basil leaves act as a kidney tonic by cleansing the kidneys and lowering uric acid levels, which is the root cause of kidney stones. Basil contains compounds like acetic acid which help in the expulsion of kidney stones via urine.
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.
What is Italian basil called?
Genovese Basil
The Genovese variety of basil is the classic Italian basil which is characterized by its extra-large and dark green leaves. The Genovese basil, like the sweet basil, is great in pesto dishes but is the more commonly used basil for Italian dishes.
What is the difference between Thai and Italian basil?
Italian sweet basil is a type of basil that’s most common in Western cooking. It has bright green leaves and a green stem. The leaves are larger than the Thai variety (see the bunches on the right in the photo above). The flavor of sweet basil is milder than Thai basil, with hints of black pepper and subtle anise.
Can I replace Thai basil with 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.