Basil Leaf Identification
- Italian Basil. Sweet basil, also called Italian basil, has smooth, bright green leaves. ...
- Thai Basil. Thai basil has smaller leaves than sweet basil, and they are somewhat lighter. ...
- Other Basils. Lemon basil is similar to Italian basil, but the leaves are smaller and smell somewhat lemony. ...
- Considerations. ...
- Warning. ...
How can you tell if a basil plant is sweet?
Leaf It to Mother Nature. The appearance of the leaves is another way to easily identify the basil plant. Basil leaves are solid and oblong with a point at the end. The leaves of common sweet basil have a glossy green appearance and grow between 2 and 4 inches long.
What does Italian basil look like?
Italian Basil. Sweet basil, also called Italian basil, has smooth, bright green leaves. They do not have serrations along the edge, and have very fine, light green veins you can see fairly easily upon looking at each leaf.
What does Genovese basil look like?
The leaves may sometimes curl under at the edges, giving them a somewhat puckered appearance. When brushed, the leaves exude a powerful basil smell. Genovese basil is similar, but the leaves are slightly smaller.
How do you identify cinnamon basil?
Cinnamon basil is somewhat spicier and may have reddish stripes on its leaves in addition to purple stems. Other, less common types of basil also exist. The easiest way to identify basil, without even looking at it, is to smell it. Anyone who has ever touched a basil plant can instantly identify the smell that wafts from it.
See more
How do I identify basil?
Basil leaves are solid and oblong with a point at the end. The leaves of common sweet basil have a glossy green appearance and grow between 2 and 4 inches long. The leaves often have a slight curve downward with a slightly bumpy or grooved appearance along the veins in the leaves.
Are there different types of basil leaves?
While sweet and Genovese are probably the most common varieties of basil, they are many other wonderful variations to choose from. With sizes ranging from 8 inches to 4 feet tall, there are plenty of choices when it comes to growing basil in the garden.
How do I identify basil and mint?
Basil Mint is a hardy perennial growing to 45-60 cm in height. It has an upright growth habit, with an undefined width up to 1 meter, due to the spreading nature of this plant. The narrow, toothed leaves are bright green with a red tinge and extend from the red toned stems. It has pale purple flowers over summer.
Are all basil leaves edible?
Almost every basil variety is grown as a culinary herb. And not just the leaves, the flowers, and stems of the basil are perfectly edible.
What plant looks like basil?
Visually, Cinnamon basil looks like a cross between basil and mint. Its leaves are more narrow than common sweet basil, with slightly serrated edges and more pointed tips. Foliage is a medium to dark green, with purple stems and veins.
Is all basil the same?
Basil is a kitchen herb in the mint family. Although it's native to India, basil is used in a wide number of cuisines, from Italian to Thai and Vietnamese recipes. While sweet basil might be the most commonly used variety, there are several different kinds, each with a unique flavor profile.
What's the difference between bay leaves and basil leaves?
Bay leaves are quite big and may even be 3 inches or more long and flat, while basil leaves are shorter, with a somewhat rounded middle. Bay leaves are olive green while basil is a vibrant green. As there are many different kinds of bay and basil leaves, there so there are many variations in size and color.
Is there a mint basil?
A spreading perennial herb, Mint Basil (Mentha spicata var. crispa) is a hardy perennial that imparts a gentle Basil flavour; making this an ideal herb for the cooler periods when fresh Basil is impossible to find.
Is basil in the same family as mint?
It is astounding that so many of our most popular and valuable herbs – including what I would consider the majority of the finest culinary herbs – are in the mint family. They include basil, thyme, lavender, lemon balm, oregano, sweet marjoram, rosemary, sage, savory, summer savory, anise hyssop, and germander.
Can basil be poisonous?
Basil contains a chemical, estragole, which has caused liver cancer in laboratory mice. Children: Basil is LIKELY SAFE for children in food amounts. But larger medicinal amounts are POSSIBLY UNSAFE. Basil contains a chemical, estragole, which has caused liver cancer in laboratory mice.
What types of basil are edible?
10 Basil Varieties & How to Use ThemChristmas Basil. With 2-inch, glossy green leaves and purple flowers, Christmas basil adds fruity flavor to salads and drinks, and the plants are gorgeous in the landscape. ... Cinnamon Basil. ... Dark Opal Basil. ... Holy Basil. ... Lemon Basil. ... Lime Basil. ... Spicy Bush Basil. ... Purple Ruffles Basil.More items...
Can you eat basil straight from the plant?
Once your basil plant is grown, you should feel free to pick off leaves whenever you want a fresh garnish. Remove a few leaves from each section of the plant without cutting off any stems.
What different types of basil are there?
Red rubin basilDark opal basilOcimum basilicum var. pilosumBasil/Lower classifications
What is the difference between basil and Greek basil?
Greek or 'bush' basil (Ocimum basilicum var. minimum 'Greek') has smaller leaves than sweet basil, with a slightly sweeter flavour. Use them to make pesto or add to tomato sauces or pizzas. It's neat, compact shape makes it ideal for a container.
Are basil and sweet basil the same?
Sweet basil is a sub-type of common basil with milder or licoricey taste. It is the best choice for Italian sauces and soups and for making pesto. Sweet basil leaves can sustain better in high-temperature cooking than common basil, so they are widely used in the South Asian cuisine.
Is sweet basil the same as Italian basil?
Italian basil is not a real cultivar (by cultivar I mean “cultural variety”) of basil. “Italian basil” a general term for the types of basil that may be used in Italian cooking. The two types of basil cultivars that are used in Italian cooking include Sweet Basil, the most common cultivar, and Genovese Basil.