Why you should be cooking with Thai basil?
Why You Should Be Cooking With Thai Basil. Tantalize and delight with Thai basil and black pepper notes. This blend is a passport for the palate, a ready to use culinary bar profile for the most discerning bar chef. Creating exotic and destination cocktails was never easier. This versatile blend pairs well with gin, vodka, tequila and more.
Is Thai basil the same as regular Basil?
Thai basil and regular basil have very similar growth requirements. Thai basil requires a bit more attention than regular basil and needs fertile soil which is always moist, but not waterlogged. The soil needs to be slightly acidic, with a pH from 6.5 to 7.5.
What are the benefits of Thai basil?
Thai basil is a rich source of many important nutrients, including:
- Vitamins: Just like its Mediterranean counterpart, Thai basil is a rich source of this vitamin A. ...
- Minerals: Both the Mediterranean and Thai varieties of basil contain an abundance or iron, which the body needs to make hemoglobin. ...
- Essential Oils: Thai basil, along with other varieties of the herb contain essential oils including eugenol and limonene. ...
Is Genovese basil the same as sweet basil?
The most common basil is 'Genovese basil' (Ocimum basilicum), which is often referred to as sweet basil. The two names are interchangeable. Sweet or Genovese basil both grow in U. S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 10 and above as perennials.
Can u substitute sweet basil for Thai basil?
Can You Substitute Sweet Basil for Thai Basil? Sweet basil can work in place of Thai basil in a pinch, but you will lose the kick that Thai basil brings to any dish. Supplementing with other fresh herbs like mint or cilantro can help make up for some of that flavor loss.
What is the difference between Thai basil and sweet basil?
In terms of taste, Thai basil smells like anise and has a more licorice smell with a slightly spicy taste. Sweet basil has the classic aroma that reminds you of pesto and has more of a clove like.
What basil is similar to Thai basil?
Thai basil and Italian basil belong to the same family so you can use Italian basil as a Thai Basil Substitute, and the flavor will not change much. Sweet Italian basil has a milder taste, so you have to add higher amount of Italian basil to get the same flavor.
What is another name for Thai basil?
tulsiIt is also known as Thai holy basil or by its Indian name, tulasi or tulsi; it is widely used in India for culinary, medicinal, and religious purposes.
What can I use if I don't have Thai 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.
What is sweet basil used for?
Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) plays a role in many Mediterranean, and particularly Italian, cuisines. It forms the basis of pesto and adds a distinctive flavor to salads, pasta, pizza, and other dishes. Indonesian, Thai, and Vietnamese cuisines also feature this herb.
Can you plant Thai basil with regular basil?
Cross pollination only affects seed; the original plants will not change. Since we usually eat the leaves of basil, it will have no effect from cross pollination. However, basil is so pungent that there might be some flavor exchange if you serve them together.
What kind of basil do you use for Thai cooking?
Thai cuisine utilises three main type of basil: Thai basil, holy basil, and lemon basil. A fourth less common basil is tree basil.
What is Thai basil?
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 does Thai basil stand up to Italian basil?
So, how does Thai basil stand up against the more familiar Italian sweet basil? At a glance, the most distinguishable difference is the color of the stems: Thai basil has a purple stem and sweet basil has a green stem. And unlike the delicate, floppy leaves you find on sweet basil, Thai basil leaves are much sturdier, meaning they'll hold up better during cooking (sweet basil leaves are usually added fresh, after the rest of the dish has been cooked). Thai basil leaves are also smaller and more narrow than large, circular sweet basil leaves.
What herbs can I use to replace Thai basil?
Supplementing with other fresh herbs like mint or cilantro can help make up for some of that flavor loss. But in dishes where Thai basil is central (like in Vietnamese Fresh Spring Rolls ), it's worth it to seek out Thai basil.
Where can I buy Thai basil?
Where to Buy Thai Basil. You might be able to find Thai basil at a well-stocked supermarket, but you're more likely to find it at an Asian or International market. You can also grow your own Thai basil, as you would other fresh herbs . thai basil leaves on stem on blue/white background.
Can you use Thai basil in pho?
It's essential to many Southeast Asian dishes like panang curry and pho. Use it fresh in this Vermicelli Noodle Bowl or these Thai Basil Rolls with Hoisin-Peanut Sauce. Or cook it up in this Thai Spicy Basil Chicken Fried Rice.
Appearance
Thai basil and regular basil differ a lot in appearance, which is why it is not difficult to tell them apart.
Flowers
Thai basil produces colorful flowers that are purple or pink in color. They are quite small in size.
Size
Thai basil and regular basil grow more or less at the same rate. They usually grow up to 16 to 18 inches (up to 45cm).
Taste
Thai basil has a taste that is milder than regular basil. It has an anise flavor along with an aroma of licorice and a spicy taste.
Uses
Thai basil is preferred to be used as an ornamental plant. It is a colorful herb, with a purple stem, green leaves, and pink and purple flowers. It is classified as an ornamental cultivar.
Recipes that use Thai Basil
Thai basil is used in Southeast Asian, Chinese and Thai cuisines. Below are some of the popular dishes that uses Thai Basil as an ingredient.
Recipes that use regular basil
Basil is the main ingredient while making pesto, and sweet basil is the choice of basil for this recipe. Pesto is used as a sauce or salad dressing in many recipes.
What About Thai Basil?
Although Thai basil is not nearly as popular as sweet basil, it is well recognized in Asian and Thai cuisine.
The Major Differences Between Sweet Basil And Thai Basil
These basil plants share almost nothing alike, from their physical appearance to their taste, smell, color, or growing seasons. Take a look at the chart below for more details:
The Physical Appearance Of Sweet Basil And Thai Basil
When comparing sweet basil and Thai basil, the most noticeable thing is their appearance. You might think it’s hard to distinguish between these 2 green plants. But by focusing on their leaves and stems, you can tell them apart with ease.
What Do Sweet Basil And Thai Basil Smell Like?
The second most effortless way to tell the difference between the 2 types of basil is by smelling them. The smell of sweet basil and Thai basil is very distinct, so you should recognize them the moment you sniff their leaves.
How Sweet Basil And Thai Basil Handle Hot Temperature
Basil, especially sweet basil, is typically used as a garnish. Perhaps this is why sometimes you’ll see people comparing basil with parsley. Overall, it is possible to cook sweet basil, but there are a few things you should know beforehand:
Health Benefits Of Sweet Basil And Thai Basil
Besides their culinary advantages, both sweet basil and Thai basil have many medicinal purposes. So if you are trying to find the motivation to incorporate basil in your daily diet, this section can help you out!
3 Healthy Recipes With Sweet Basil
There are countless recipes for basil, but in this section, I will only highlight 3 recipes that work best for sweet basil.
What is the difference between Thai basil and sweet basil?
Thai basil differs from sweet basil for its taste . Thai basil has a milder flavor with an extra licorice aroma that suits more East Asian cuisine.
Where can I find sweet basil?
In recent years Thai basil is starting gaining popularity even in the western world. Indeed, this type of basil is well-known and established in East Asia.
How long does Thai basil live?
Those are plants that can live more than two years, and, during winter, they might go in “dormancy” during which their growth stops (or slows down) to then come back to life in a warmer period. Thai basil is a perennial herb. However, this is true only if you avoid temperatures below 50F (10C).
How tall does Thai basil grow?
Sweet basil and Thai basil, as also shown in the publication from the University of Purdue, grown more or less at the same rate, with a top hight of around 16-18 inches (up to 45cm). However, this only applies if you leave your basil to grow without any harvesting strategy.
What does Genovese basil taste like?
Taste. Genovese basil has a distinct and robust taste that is a mix of anise, peppery, and a bit sweet. The chances are that you know very well the taste of Genovese Basil. Indeed, even if you did not grow it before you might have encountered and eaten in a large variety of dishes.
How long does basil last?
Annual are herbs that last only one season (around 4-5 months or up to a year if you prune them efficiently). Sweet basil is an annual herb.
Can you grow Thai basil indoors?
If not, your herb will die-off (behave as an annual) and not come back in spring. Remember, a perennial is usually as such only if kept warm during cold seasons. Hence, you have a way higher chance to successfully grow Thai basil inside as a perennial.
What Is the Difference Between Thai Basil and Conventional Basil?
Conventional basil that most of us use in our cooking is a variety called sweet basil. Thai basil is just one of the many species of basil.
What Does Thai Basil Taste Like?
Thai basil has a unique and special taste that enhances many Southeast Asian dishes.
How Does Thai Basil Compare to Other Basils?
While Thai basil is fragrant and used to add flavor like other basil plants, there are still some special characteristics that sets it apart.
Can One Basil Be Successfully Substituted For Another?
Although all of these basil species are closely related, the flavor that they all bring is pretty different from one another. If you substitute Thai basil for regular basil, it would be challenging to get the same flavor.
How Can I Grow Thai Basil?
Growing Thai basil is pretty easy! You can have delicious herbs in your garden in no time as it is a fast-growing plant that should be ready to harvest a few short months after planting.
What Dishes Can I Use Thai Basil In?
There are a lot of incredibly delicious dishes that utilize the spicy, herbaceous Thai basil. For those looking to make Thai dishes that are as close to the real thing as you can get, here are some recipes that you can incorporate into your cooking that will blow people away.
What Are Some Benefits of Eating Basil?
Did you know that basil has some amazing health benefits to offer you? It’s true! You might not expect a little leaf to be able to support your health, but it can.
What are the leaves of basil?
Physically, basil is characterized by its branching stems, opposite leaves, brown or black seeds (also called nutlets) and flower spikes. However, flower color and size, shape, and texture of leaves vary by species. Leaf textures range from smooth and shiny to curled and hairy, and flowers are white to lavender/purple.
Where does basil come from?
It is a culinary herb native to India and tropical regions of Asia and has been cultivated for more than 5,000 years. The herb has strong smell and is used commonly in Italian, Thai and Vietnamese cuisine.
How tall does basil grow?
Leaf color can vary from green to blue/purple, and plants can grow from 1 to 10 feet in height, depending on species. Most people are familiar with sweet basil, common culinary basil, but the world of basils offers a wide array of plants with a great diversity of flavors, scents and uses. Some of the more popular basils include sweet, ...
What is basil used for?
Common basil, or “basil,” is the traditional ingredient in Thai and Mediterranean cuisines. It goes well with veal, lamb, fish, poultry, white beans, pasta, rice, tomatoes, cheese and eggs. It blends well with garlic, thyme and lemon and adds zing to mild vegetables such as zucchini, summer squash, eggplant, potatoes, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, ...
Does basil oil help with anxiety?
Basil's essential oil may help manage depression and anxiety too. The herb is believed to stimulate neurotransmitters that regulate hormones responsible for inducing happiness and energy. Basil is considered a powerful adaptogen or an antistress agent.
Does basil help with acid reflux?
It can even stimulate loss of appetite and could cure acid reflux. It helps against helminthic infections of the gut. Basil and its strong anti-inflammatory properties can prove to be a cure to various diseases and disorders. Powerful essential oils, including eugenol, citronellol and linalool, help lower inflammation.
Is cinnamon basil the same as sweet basil?
Sweet basil leaves can sustain better in high-temperature cooking than common basil, so they are widely used in the South Asian cuisine. Cinnamon basil is another type of basil distinct from sweet or common basil. More than 150 varieties of basil have been discovered.
Difference in Physical description
The Thai basil and Holy basil do not look very similar, so it is easy to differentiate between them with respect to looks.
Thai basil Vs Holy basil – Taste
The tastes of Thai basil and Holy basil vastly differ and they have very different flavor profiles.
Growth Requirements of Thai Basil and Holy Basil
The Thai Basil is native to Southeast Asia, while the Holy Basil is especially native to India.
Cooking
While Holy basil and Thai basil do have some similarities, they have quite different uses when it comes to cooking.
Life span of Holy Basil and Thai Basil
When you use a plant like basil for its leaves, you look for a plentiful harvest. So it is important to know how long these plants will last.
Preservation
Both Thai basil and Holy basil are herbs that are best used fresh. Like all basil varieties, the best way to store them is to put them in a glass of water like cut flowers.
Medicine
Native to India, the Holy basil has a revered place in Ayurveda. You will find a Holy basil plant in almost all Indian homes. This plant is worshipped in India.
