What is Sweet Basil?

Ocimum basilicum L.

Sweet basil is the most common and most popular basil species. It belongs to the mint family, Lamiaceae (Labiatae). Also found in this family is mint, thyme, rosemary, marjoram, oregano and lavender, just to mention a few.

Origin

Sweet basil probably originated in western Asia and occurs naturally or is naturalized throughout the tropics (including South-East Asia, Africa, Middle East), subtropics and warm temperate areas.

Commercially Grown Basils

Most commercially grown basils are cultivars of sweet basil.

There are over 160 cultivars of sweet basil. The common ones are: cinnamon basil, Thai Basil, Anise Basil, Purple Ruffles Basil, Dark Opal Basil, just to mention a few.

Flavour

Basil is typically used fresh. The dried herb loses most of its flavour and fragrance and tastes very different, with a weak coumarin flavour, like hay

Sweet basil leaves should be added towards the end of cooking to best retain their flavour.

Basil imparts a fragrant, warm and sweet flavour with pungent and clove-like notes to dishes and drinks.

Culinary Use

Sweet basil leaves are commonly used in the following cuisines: southeast Asian, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Italian, French, and Malaysian.

Basil leaves are prominently used in Italian cooking in pizza, pasta, chicken, meat, cheese and tomato dishes. Also used in tomato salsa, salads, soups, sauces, stuffings. It blends well with tomatoes and garlic.

Its mild sweetness complement any type of meat or poultry, shellfish and many vegetables. It is used in soups, salads and vegetable dishes and has a special affinity with tomatoes, e.g. in tomato paste and pasta sauces.

Basil is also used to make Pesto, a sauce originating from Genoa. To make pesto, fresh basil is crushed with garlic, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and olive oil.

In France basil is popular in omelettes and soups.

Basil is used as an ingredient in bloody Mary.

Lamb is often flavoured with basil leaves.

Other Uses

1. The leaves are a source of essential oil and oleoresin mainly applied in industry to flavour baked goods, sauces, pickles, vinegar and meat products and to modify the flavour of chartreuse liqueurs. (Prota4u)
2. The oil is also used in cosmetics, dental and oral products and occasionally in perfumes. (Prota4u)
3. It’s also used as a medicine, stimulant, carminative, to repel bugs and as an ornamental. (Prota4u)

Other Notable Basil Species

1. Ocimum americanum (American basil)
2. Ocimum tenuiflorum (sacred basil)
3. Ocimum sanctum (holy basil)
4. Ocimum kilimandscharicum (Camphor Basil)

References

1. Prota4u Ocimum basilicum
2. Wikipedia article on Basil 

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