Basil

 Basics

This herb with various sweet and spicy flavor profiles is popular in a variety of cuisines such as Italian, Thai, and Vietnamese. Basil is a member of the mint family, and you may notice that some varieties have a familiar minty note.   We grow Genovese (also known as Sweet), Lemon, Tulsi, Red Rubin, and a few other types of basil.

There are over 30 different types of basil in the world, including Thai, Cinnamon, Tulsi, Lemon, and Purple Ruffles. In Hindu traditions, Tulsi (also known as holy basil) represents love and purification. Basil is also considered an aphrodisiac, and is linked to courtship rituals in several countries. Read more about the fascinating uses and history of basil in this guide from the Herb Society of America.

Cooking Tips

Sweet basil is the most popular variety in our area and great for Italian style cooking.

Pick off leaves and lay over slices of tomatoes with fresh mozzarella cheese.

If you’re making a big batch of pesto, try freezing cubes of it in ice-cube trays and pop out a few servings whenever you need them.

To keep basil as fresh as possible, do not put it in the refrigerator! Place the stems upright in a glass of water, cover loosely with a plastic bag, and place on the countertop.