Thai Basil seeds are said to have antioxidants, anti-cancer properties, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties.
What can Thai basil be used for?
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.
What is the difference between Thai basil and regular?
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 part of Thai basil do you eat?
Are Thai basil flowers edible? The flowers are edible in the sense that they can be used in dishes safely. However, we wouldn’t advise eating them on their own as the texture isn’t the most appealing. Instead, use the flower heads as a garnish.
How do you use Thai basil in cooking?
How is Thai basil used? Unlike sweet basil, Thai basil’s sturdy leaves retain structure and flavor even when cooked. That means that it can be added fresh as a garnish, to provide an herbaceous kick, but it can also be added during the cooking process, to infuse the whole dish with its aroma.
Should you let Thai basil flower?
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.
Can you use Thai basil for tea?
Thai basil has a lot to deliver when it comes to flavor. Its unique and powerful aroma can really heighten a dish’s flavor. Not to mention, it can be used for so many recipes, from stir fry to tea.
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.
What are the side effects of basil?
Basil contains a chemical, estragole, which has caused liver cancer in laboratory mice. Bleeding disorders: Basil oils and extracts might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding in people with bleeding disorders. Low blood pressure: Basil extracts might lower blood pressure.
Is Thai basil good in spaghetti sauce?
Most grocery store sell it by the bunch for about a buck. I prefer its flavor to that of Italian basil and use it exclusively in my cooking. It goes into my marinara sauce, along with a couple of Thai chilis and anywhere else I would use basil. It has a sharper mintier bite that really shines through in a dish.
Does basil help with anxiety?
There’s less risk of contamination when taking an herb in its natural form. Holy basil has been shown to have antidepressant and antianxiety properties similar to antidepressant drugs. Studies have shown that it can help people feel more social and less anxious.
Can you use Thai basil for regular basil?
Not really. The strong anise flavor of Thai basil makes it incomparable to sweet basil in terms of flavor.
Does basil lower blood sugar?
Chronic hyperglycemia marked as elevated advanced glycation end products plays an important role in complications of diabetes. Basil leaves (Ocimum basilicum) originating from India and commonly found in Southeast Asia, is widely used empirically to decrease the blood sugar in diabetic patients.
What does Thai basil taste like?
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.
How do you store Thai basil in the fridge?
Store basil for up to 1 week in the refrigerator. Leave it in its original plastic container or rinse the leaves, roll them up in paper towels, and place them in a resealable plastic bag for up to about 4 days.
Can I freeze Thai basil?
Yes, you can freeze Thai basil for up to 6 months. Blanching isn’t essential but can help retain some of its colour and flavour. The other option is to use an ice cube tray.
Does Thai basil come back every year?
Is Thai Basil Perennial? According to seedaholic.com, Thai basil is a perennial but is usually grown as an annual. You can also continue growing Thai basil indoors all throughout the year successfully.
How do you cut Thai basil so it keeps growing?
Thai Basil likes to be cut! You can start trimming your plants in about one month after planting. You may remove single leaves occasionally, however for more thriving growth pinching off the whole tip is recommended – it will grow two new shoots in a week. Cutting and pruning your plant will also delay its flowering.
How long does Thai basil live?
Sweet basil, the edible herb that most people grow at home, is not perennial. It has to be replanted every year. There are other varieties of basil, such as purple basil and Thai basil, which are perennial in their native environment. They last for two or more seasons.
Can basil leaves be eaten raw?
There are more than 60 varieties of basil, with sweet basil being one of the most widely used. Different varieties of basil offer slightly different flavors. Basil leaves are commonly used in cooking or eaten raw.
When should I drink basil tea?
Drinking a cup of hot piping basil tea is an amazing stress reliever. Since centuries, basil tea has been used as a remedy for relieving stress. Basil leaf has certain components that helps to improve the memory. Basil is often used in tonics for digestion that helps reduce or prevent indigestion.