What to drink with basil seeds?
One especially popular drink featuring basil seeds is faluda, a dessert beverage from India which is a combination of soaked basil seeds, rose syrup, vermicelli noodles, and milk. Sometimes it’s even topped off with ice cream. The drink is consumed during hot months in India, as basil seeds are believed to have cooling and soothing properties.
What are basil seeds used for?
Basil seeds are completely black and tear-shaped when dry, roughly the same size as chia seeds. In some Asian countries like Thailand, Basil seeds are used to make a drink along with water, sugar, honey and sometimes coconut milk. It is a great drink to sip on to beat the scorching summer heat.
What is Fresh n Chill Basil seed drink?
While these seeds are not commonly found in many places, IGI has decided to develop and launch their own brand “Fresh n Chill” Basil Seed Drink to deliver high quality drinks to end users across the region.
What are the active ingredients in basil seeds?
However, the seeds of this plant are often overlooked, despite having a rich concentration of powerful compounds and active ingredients that can impact human health. Some of the key active ingredients in basil seeds are dietary fiber, iron, protein, , compounds, orientin, vicentin, and other powerful .
What happens when you add basil seeds to a drink?
Basil seeds, much like chia seeds, swell up when combined with water. The exotic little orbs have a neutral flavor which makes them the perfect add-in for things like fresh fruit juices, smoothies and puddings and other desserts.
Why drink basil seeds?
Basil seeds have a cooling effect in the body and also aid in digestion. They are rich in fiber, iron and antioxidants. Plus, they are a fun way to add texture and flavor to drinks.
Where can I find basil seeds for drinks?
Don’t go looking for these tiny black seeds in the spice aisle at your regular grocery store. Instead, you’ll find them at Indian, Middle Easter and Thai markets.
What to make with basil seeds
One of the most famous concoctions made with basil seeds is falooda, an ice cream dessert laced with rose water and vermicelli. It is an Indian specialty with Persian roots. Watch Ruchi Bharani teach you how to make it:
Soaking the Seeds
To soak basil seeds, add 8 ounces (237 ml or 1 cup) of water per 1 tablespoon (13 grams or 0.5 ounces) of basil seeds.
Ways to Use Them
You can find recipes online that include basil seeds. Their bland flavor blends easily in dishes.
What exactly are basil seeds?
The seeds are, as their name suggests, from the Thai basil plant (not the holy basil plant ). They’re similar in size to chia seeds, and also become gelatinous when wet—though they still retain their crunchy interior.
Are there health benefits?
Basil and its seeds have been used in Chinese and ayurvedic medicine practices for centuries. They’re most well-known for being a digestive aid and soothing upset stomachs.
What Can I do with them?
Basil seeds are an excellent addition to lemonade iced milky tea, or any sort of fresh juice (we really want to try them with watermelon juice). Just let them soak in the liquid for at least five minutes to let them gel.
Recipes to Make With Basil Seeds
Thick, rich, sweet pudding, for breakfast! Chia seeds—or, better yet, basil seeds—plump up in nutty date caramel till the mixture reaches a luscious consistency. Then the whole thing is topped with cinnamon and fresh fruit of your choosing (blueberries, peaches, plums, anything goes).
Where do I find them?
You can track down some basil seeds at larger Asian grocery stores and, of course, the internet. If you’re feeling especially thrifty, you can even harvest your own from that basil plant on your window! Pluck off its flowered stalks and let them dry, then gently break them apart with your fingertips and sift out the small black seeds.
So, What's the Verdict?
Basil seeds may not cure all your digestive woes, but if you want to switch up your chia seed game or just want to add a new drink into your summer beverage rotation, try some basil seeds on for size.
What are Basil Seeds?
Basil seeds are the seeds of the basil plant, which is also known as great basil or St. Joseph’s Wort. Scientifically known as Ocimum basilicum, the basil plant is one of the world’s most famous herbs, and is used in numerous cuisines across the world.
Basil Seeds Health Benefits
The most notable health benefits of basil seeds include their ability to improve digestive health, aid in weight loss efforts, boost the appearance of the skin, strengthen the hair, regulate blood sugar, cool the body, relieves stress, build strong bones, lower blood pressure, improve vision, reduce inflammations, lower cholesterol, and prevent certain infections..
Culinary Uses of Basil Seeds
The primary use of basil seeds in most Asian countries is as a thickening agent for certain drinks, ranging from juice to nutritional shakes and smoothies.
Basil Seeds Side Effects
These seeds can deliver a significant number of health benefits, but that comes along with a few side effects, such as the choking hazard they pose, as well as potential hormone fluctuations.
What Are Basil Seeds?
Most people know and love the leaves of the basil plant for their fragrant addition to sauces and pizza. The seeds are less celebrated. However, they have been used in traditional medicine to treat a range of conditions, primarily digestive, such as ulcers, heartburn and diarrhea.
Fiber and Weight Loss
Basil seeds trump chia seeds when it comes to fiber content, with 7 grams per tablespoon, compared to 4 grams in a tablespoon of chia, per USDA data. This is where they can play an important role in weight loss.
Special Role of Soluble Fiber
Like chia seeds, basil seeds are particularly high in a type of fiber called soluble fiber. As its name suggests, soluble fiber dissolves in water. As it attracts fluids in the gut, it swells, causing the stomach to become distended. If you've ever had a "food baby" after a large meal, you're familiar with this concept.
Ways to Eat Basil Seeds
You can include basil seeds in your diet in most of the same ways you eat chia seeds. Add them whole or ground to smoothies, juices, yogurt or oatmeal. Sprinkle them on top of a salad for a little crunch. You can also make basil seed pudding by combining basil seeds with coconut milk.
