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What can I use instead if Thai basil?
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 Thai basil called?
Thai basil; ocimum basilicum, is variety of Italian sweet basil. This aromatic herb is native to India, SE Asia, and NE Africa and is an important herb used in Thai cooking (and less significantly in other cuisines). Thai Basil is also know as Sweet Basil or Asian Basil and the Thai name is bai horapa.
Is Thai basil same as normal?
Thai basil is a type of basil that originates in Southeast Asia. It's got a stronger flavor than that of it's sweet basil cousin with more of an anise flavor. What is this? You can usually find Thai basil at a well-stocked grocery store or your local International or Asian market or grocery store.
What is the difference between basil and Thai basil?
But setting looks aside, Thai basil is spicy with an anise, or licorice-like flavor, while sweet basil has a more mild peppery and sweet taste (for reference, sweet basil is commonly used as a main ingredient in Genovese-style pesto).
What is the difference between Thai basil and holy basil?
Thai basil has a particularly distinctive licorice aroma, while holy basil brings clove notes to the table. If you've never cooked with Asian basil varieties before, prepare your taste buds for a pleasantly surprising burst of flavor. You can also tell Italian basil and Asian basil apart by looking at the leaves.
Is Thai basil a mint?
Thai basil (Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora) is a member of the mint family and as such has a particular sweet flavor reminiscent of anise, licorice, and clove.
Is Thai basil also called sweet 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. Appearance: Thai basil has purple stems, while sweet basil has green stems.
How does Thai basil look?
Thai basil is sturdy and compact, growing up to 45 cm (1 ft 6 in), and has shiny green, slightly serrated, narrow leaves with a sweet, anise-like scent and hints of licorice, along with a slight spiciness lacking in sweet basil. Thai basil has a purple stem, and like other plants in the mint family, the stem is square.
What is the best basil for cooking?
1. Sweet Basil. It is the most used and popular basil variety to grow. Sweet basil is used extensively in cooking for its aromatic foliage.
Can Thai basil be eaten raw?
Thai basil is wonderful eaten raw, slivered, and added to salads, both your plain old cucumber-tomato salad or something meaty like northern Thai larb. But its hardy leaves stand up especially well to cooking—their flavor infuses readily into food and the leaves don't wilt quite as much as Italian sweet basil's would.
Can you substitute Thai basil for holy basil?
It gives a pungent flavor to the dish. But if one is unable to get Thai Basil leaves, they can use some other Basil leaves as a Thai Basil Substitute. Holy Basil – Holy basil adds a spicy flavor to Thai dishes.
Why does my basil taste spicy?
Basil leaves are susceptible to heat. So cooking them for a long time would change the taste. That is why you will find that in many recipes Basil leaves are used at the end or just as a garnish.
Can you grow Thai basil from cuttings?
Growing Thai basil from cuttings is a much more effective way than growing it from seeds, and in our opinion, it's easier too. The only drawback here is that you will need to have a fully established Thai basil plant from which to obtain your cuttings.
What does Thai mint look like?
Thai Mint. This fragrant plant, called saranae in Thailand, is the most deliciously sweet and intense member of the mint family. The leaves are hairless, with a smaller, more rounded shape than common mint.
Does Thai basil repel mosquitoes?
Not all basil types are created equal when it comes to repelling mosquitoes, and the extra-spicy Thai basil, with its narrow foliage and cinnamon scent, has the best ability to fend off the insects. All basil plants need full sun and warm growing temperatures, which make them great companion plants for tomatoes.
How long does it take to grow Thai basil from seed?
Basil needs to grow in full, direct sunlight in rich, well-draining soil. You can direct sow basil seeds in the garden, although they will take 6-8 weeks before they are ready to harvest.
Does pho use Thai basil?
Role of Thai Basil in Pho
Thai basil is an optional ingredient in Vietnamese pho. Along with bean sprouts, lime wedges and chopped Asian chili, Thai basil is always included in the plate of garnishing that is provided with the bowl of pho (except for the Pho Bac or northern pho variety.)