Types Of Basil
It may not be well known, but basil is part of the mint family, or family Lamiaceae. The most common basil used in cooking is sweet basil, which has been used for thousand of years in Italian dishes. There is almost no limit to making great dishes using basil when there is 150 different varieties.
Here are some of the most popular and not so widely known types of basil that you can grow in your garden and add to any dish when cooking.
African Blue
This type is one of the most cold tolerant types of basil. It has a strong, aromatic scent of camphor. The leaves of a young African blue basil plant are purple and turn green as the plant matures.Cinnamon
Cinnamon basil, not surprisingly, has a strong scent of cinnamon, caused by a chemical called cinnamate, which gives cinnamon its flavor. The leaves of a mature plant are small to medium in size. Cinnamon basil is commonly used in hot drinks and added to fruits.Genovese
Genovese basil is one of the most popular types and is often used to make pesto. In Italy, it is considered a sign of love. It is claimed that the best Genovese basil, used to make real pesto, is grown in Northern Italy near the city of Genoa.Holy
Holy Basil, also known as tulsi, is commonly used in Thai cuisine and teas. It is native to the Old World Tropics, and often grows as a weed. Holy basil has been used for thousands of years to heal people and is even worshiped in parts of India.Lemon
This type is a hybrid between basil and African basil, and is typically grown in south Asia and north Africa. A typical plant will grow to be 8 to 15 inches tall and have narrow leaves. Popular for its strong, lemon scent, it is most often used in dishes in Indonesia, Thailand, and Laos.Mammoth
Originating in Italy, mammoth basil has leaves that resemble lettuce and have jagged edges. When mature, the plant will be about 14 to 18 inches tall. The large mammoth basil leaves are often used in pesto or used whole in salads.