How do I know what kind of basil I have?

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The easiest way to identify basil, without even looking at it, is to smell it. Anyone who has ever touched a basil plant can instantly identify the smell that wafts from it. Lemon basil, cinnamon basil and Thai basil all smell like basil mixed with something else.

What are different types of basil?

Red rubin basil
Dark opal basilOcimum basilicum var. pilosum
Basil/Lower classifications

How many varieties of basil are there?

Although it is estimated that there are 50 to 150 species of basil, most, but not all, culinary basils are cultivars of O. basilicum, or sweet basil. Some are cultivars of other basil species, and others are hybrids. It is particularly challenging to determine which species a basil belongs to.

What is the most common type of basil?

Sweet basil
Sweet basil is the most common variety at the grocery store. If your recipe doesn’t specify what kind of basil to use, it probably calls for sweet basil. This type of basil has dark green, glossy leaves and a sweet but slightly spicy flavor. Use it to make pesto or a caprese salad.

Which basil is edible?

Sweet Basil Varieties include Genovese, Napoletano, Italian Large Leaf and Lettuce Leaf. Plants range from 14 to 30 inches tall and are prolific in hot, sunny locations. Harvest the top four leaves often to keep the plant growing and sweetly flavored.

Can we eat all types of basil?

Almost all basil varieties are cultivated as culinary herbs. When talking about the different types of basil, most people are familiar with the sweet basil varieties used in Italian cuisine, but many different types of basil are used in Asian cooking as well.

Which basil is best 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.

Which basil has the best flavour?

Thai Basil (Ocimum basilicum var. ‘Siam Queen’ is an All-America Selections Winner with improved characteristics like compact growth, slow flowering, and excellent flavor.

What is the best basil for cooking?

Can all basil be eaten?

Basil is a fragrant herb with a distinctive flavor that many people enjoy. The various types have different flavors. In cooking, sweet basil is the most popular variety in the U.S., but people also use lemon basil, clove basil, cinnamon basil, and other types.

Which basil is good for cooking?

Basil is sold fresh and dried but fresh basil is typically preferred for cooking. Although dried is more concentrated than fresh, dried basil does not have the same taste; the dehydrating process draws out more of the mint flavor and less of the anise.

What kind of basil do you use for pasta?

Sweet Basil This basil cultivar is the best choice for Italian sauces and soups and for making pesto. Varieties include Genovese, Napoletano, Italian Large Leaf and Lettuce Leaf.