Thai Basil vs. Holy Basil. That will work fine. Thai basil has a sweet, anise quality whereas holy basil is found to be spicy and peppery. They also have purple stems which is also a good trait to look for if you’re able to find them in a store. You can usually find Thai basil at a well-stocked grocery store or your local International or Asian market or grocery store. A healthy plant requires fertile, well-draining soil, a pH ranging from 6.5 to 7.5 and some 6 to 8 hours of full sunlight per day. Another giveaway of the holy basil is the toothed edges of the leaves which are larger than their Thai counterparts. It won’t have that same punch of flavor that Thai basil brings, so it could be worth adding other fresh herbs to help brighten the dish like mint or cilantro. You can really surprise yourself. Genovese Basil Here moist soil is king. Its leaves are sturdier and stand up to heat better than those of Italian basil, so it can be added during cooking versus as a finishing touch. What is the Best Way to Keep Basil Fresh? Sweet basil is a medium green color with a rounded cup-shaped leaf. The walls were littered with recycled bottles housing all types of plants. THAI HOLY BASIL is widely used in Indian dishes and is even worshiped and smells of cloves. Indeed, even restaurants might substitute Thai or regular basil for holy basil. You can also store it for couple of days in the fridge in a plastic bag, though it will go off and turn black quite quickly in the cold (some sources recommend wrapping it in a damp paper towel to extend its storage life in the fridge a little). The Culinary Compass participates in several different affiliate programs. You can store sprigs of either basil in a vase or cup on the counter for a week or so with the stems submerged in a bit of water (change the water every couple of days). 10 Veggies That Grow in Water, Does Potting Soil Go Bad? There’s isn’t much that can go wrong. It’s got a shinier finish and has much more round leaves that tend to be a little more floppy and delicate. Adding fresh leaves to recipes like these Veggie Spring Rolls is an instant way to bring a bright and fresh taste to any dish! I generally prefer Holy basil for my three cup chicken. Creating a fresh pesto or caprese salad is always a good idea. Before I knew it, my little lily quickly grew into a rather lonely lily. It sounds kind of cheesy, but after weeks of care, I do care for them.Â. The sweetness is more subtle than Thai basil with a strong peppery flavor. They are different variations of the same plant type, though they do have many differences. They love to put it in soup and curry.Â. If the Thai basil plant dries out, it may bolt (put their energy into flower and seed production rather than leaves), but if you go too far with the water, it’ll be more vulnerable to fungal infections. Holy basil can often be called Thai holy basil making it confusing to differentiate that they are, in fact, not the same herb. I'm Sam and if there are two things I love most in this world, it's food and travel... and my dog, Tucker. It is an aromatic plant and its leaves are highly scented. They’re also packed with a wide variety of flavor, depending on the basil you’re growing. A bacterial infection usually just causes dark spots. It proudly shows off its regal purple stem in compensation.Â. Its strong pepper clove aroma is iconic. Moreover, Thai Basil has an extra aroma of licorice with spicy touch in addition to the anise background flavor that shares with the Genovese variety. The basil’s purple stem contrasted so nicely with the vase’s pearly white walls that it’s now a staple in my dining room for special occasions. It features a spicy, peppery, clove-like taste. Make sure you have a well-draining pot and you should be set. Holy basil can often be called Thai holy basil making it confusing to differentiate that they are, in fact, not the same herb. Today, I want to talk about two common strains of Basil. This problem may be caused by deficient soil or insufficient water (plants need water to absorb potassium from the soil). Thai Basil has the traditional basil sweetness, but it’s also spicier than most basil varieties. As far as Asian cuisine, I recommend Thai, Vietnamese, Lao, or Cambodian recipes for inspiration. Thai basil is sturdy and compact, growing up to 45 cm (1.48 ft), 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. If you’re looking to try something completely different, try making a basil simple syrup and trying out these Cantaloupe Basil Coolers which are perfect for the summer! It’s often used in Italian dishes. If flowers begin to appear, be sure to remove them so that the plants invest their energy back into leaf production. Thai basil is a variety of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) but the flavor is spicier and more pungent -- like anise and clove combined.I grew ‘Queenette” which has leaves that are smaller and narrower than sweet basil. Holy basil and basil are herbs that are members of the mint family. The best basil … One of the best ways to use your Thai basil is to make pesto. You can drop a few in a stir fry or put it in soup since its leaves are sturdier than sweet basil’s. Holy basil doesn’t discriminate by riches. Thai Basil is great for cooking at high temperatures and giving your food a mild sweet licorice taste. The most common cultivar of Thai Basil in the United States is typically Queen Siam. This is usually caused by a bacterial or fungal infection, nutrient deficiency, or cold temperatures killing off parts of the leaves. Two of the seed pods that came with the starter kit were Thai basil and basil which I’ve come to find out are just two of many different basil varieties. If you believe the problem is cold temperatures at night, trim off the affected leaves and provide some protection against the cold, such as a cloche, cold frame, or greenhouse, or bring your basil plants indoors and keep them on a sunny windowsill. If you want a low maintenance plant perfect for making tea and oil on a lazy Sunday afternoon, holy basil is the way to go.Â, Growing basil is a fun way to learn more about gardening and getting creative with your cooking. Genovese basil has a distinct and robust taste that is a mix of anise, peppery, and a bit sweet. Copyright © 2020 The Culinary Compass | Birch on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, difference between Thai basil and holy basil. Fresh herbs whenever you’d like no matter the weather or time of year! Strictly speaking, they are two different leaves meant for different purposes. Posted on Published: September 3, 2020 Categories Uncategorized. Almost like a bouquet at the center of the dinner table, holy basil has been a medicinal staple for thousands of years. Italian dishes are known for their use of basil! Easy to make and easy to store. It goes by many names, ocimum tenuiflorum, kaphrao, thulasi or just holy basil. Moist, not soaking wet. Holy basil presents a light peppery flavor with a note of clove. In the case of the basil that you’ll commonly find at the store, it is! My guests love to comment on it. culinary uses of thai basil. All these types of basil are from the Lamiaceae or Labiatae—Mint Family. You know you have a fungal infection if you see the discolored spots along with a type of fuzz on the stem. Thai basil has a purple stem, and like other plants in the mint family, the stem is square. Leave it out for too long in the cold and it won’t make it for the next season. They both grew like crazy leaving me with an abundance of herbs to figure out what to do with. What kinds of dishes should I use Thai basil for? it releases its flavor better when cooked and does not get wilt/floppy as easily as sweet basil, making it great for soups. Identifying Thai basil is rather easy. If you can’t find Thai basil or Thai holy basil, use sweet basil and this recipe will still taste great. Remember to keep the plant warm and to pinch out growing tips to promote bushier plants and to delay flowering.Â. Think along the lines of larger mint leaves. It does it all. You want to keep it indoors, preferably in a small, portable container. In other words, things are getting serious. In terms of taste, Thai basil smells like anise and has a more licorice smell with a slightly spicy taste. 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