All types of basil are members of the mint family. 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.
Is basil and mint related?
The Labiatae, the 3,500 members of the mint family, include, beside mint, a number of herbs that are fundamental to Western cooking — thyme, marjoram, oregano, basil, sage, rosemary, savory — along with other ancient herbs with less culinary value, such as lavender, hyssop, lemon thyme, horehound, betony, catnip, lemon
Is Thai basil the same as basil mint?
Different kinds of basil will boast slightly varied taste features. For example, Thai flavor will lean more on the anise, spicy, and licorice side, while sweet basil will be fresh, peppery, and a bit minty.
Does Thai basil smell like mint?
In terms of taste, Thai basil smells like anise and has a more licorice smell with a slightly spicy taste.
Can you substitute Thai basil for mint?
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 herbs are in mint family?
Lamiaceae – The Mint Family
This family includes skullcap, lemon balm, catnip, lavender, sage, rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil, chia, spearmint, peppermint, and vitex.
What foods are in the mint family?
They include basil, thyme, lavender, lemon balm, oregano, sweet marjoram, rosemary, sage, savory, summer savory, anise hyssop, and germander.
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 is similar to Thai basil?
If you can’t find Thai basil, you can substitute sweet basil, but it will lack its distinctive grassy and spicy flavor. If you are to substitute, supplement the sweet basil with mint to make up for this loss of flavor.
Is Thai basil the same as Vietnamese mint?
Vietnamese mint smells similar to Thai basil but it is far more pungent with a hot bite and slight numbing character and a strong alkalinity. Also known as hot mint, it is the leaf to use in Malaysian laksa soups, and is often simply known as laksa leaf. It’s also used as a salad ingredient, and cooked dishes.
Why does my basil smell like mint?
Because they are closely related. Both basil and mint belong to the Lamiaceae family of aromatic plants. The mint family (Lamiaceae) is known for its aromatic members, especially the mints and balms.
Is basil a mint or herb?
Basil (/ˈbæzəl/, also US: /ˈbeɪzəl/; Ocimum basilicum), also called great basil, is a culinary herb of the family Lamiaceae (mints). It is a tender plant, and is used in cuisines worldwide.
Is there a difference between Thai basil and regular basil?
Flavor: Taste is the most noticeable difference between sweet basil and Thai basil. Thai basil leaves have a distinctive flavor with bold notes of licorice and spice. True to its common name, sweet basil has a sweeter flavor and more peppery notes.
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.
What is Thai basil good for?
Research shows that Thai Basil is high in antioxidants, anti-cancer, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties, which is why it has been used in traditional healing since centuries ago. Aside from ingesting Thai Basil, you can also bruise the leaves and inhale its aroma to relieve stress.
Can I use mint leaves instead of basil?
The last substitute for basil: mint! Like both oregano and tarragon, the flavor profile is not the same. But it can work in a pinch! Fresh mint is especially good for garnishing something like a crostini.
Is rosemary a mint?
Rosemary is a member of the mint family Lamiaceae, along with many other herbs, such as oregano, thyme, basil, and lavender.
Is Cilantro a mint?
Cilantro (Hara dhaniya) and Mint (pudina) may look very similar, but have key differences. Cilantro has a citrus-like flavor and is related to parsley; whereas, mint is a calming herb that tastes cool due to concentrations of menthol.
Is rosemary a type of mint?
rosemary, (Salvia rosmarinus), small evergreen plant of the mint family (Lamiaceae), the leaves of which are used to flavour foods. Native to the Mediterranean region, rosemary has naturalized throughout much of Europe and is widely grown in gardens in warm climates.
Is oregano a mint?
oregano, (Origanum vulgare), also called origanum or wild marjoram, aromatic perennial herb of the mint family (Lamiaceae) known for its flavourful dried leaves and flowering tops.
Is thyme a mint?
Other culinary Mint Family stars are rosemary, savory, marjoram, sage, lemon balm, and thyme.