different basils comparison

[digitS']

I really enjoy the flavor of Thai basil in my beef noodle soup; much prefer sweet basil to oregano in spaghetti and on pizza; chose lemon basil for baked salmon; and like Genovese basil pesto with garlic, Parmesan cheese and pine nuts.

At the risk of poisoning some thinking on basil - sometimes there is a risk of an off-flavor with some varieties.

I wouldn't have thought of meat (Steph!?) but the basil mint I tried as tea the other day had something of a hint of a diesel! Of course, basil mint isn't a basil.

Steve

 

[Ridgerunner]

I planted some Napolitano Basil this year and am pretty pleased with it. The leaves are large, it is pretty prolific, and I like the flavor.

The Sweet Thai, on the other hand, is real pretty but the leaves are so small they take more effort to work with, I'm not wild about the flavor, and they went to seed real quickly. I do keep them picked off, but it is more work than I feel I need to do when I am happier with other varieties.

To each their own.

 

[digitS']

Some Thai basil has not worked well for me.

. . . not well at all :/.

So far, the best by far has been Siam Queen.

Steve

 

[NwMtGardener]

The Sweet Thai, on the other hand, is real pretty but the leaves are so small they take more effort to work with, I'm not wild about the flavor, and they went to seed real quickly. I do keep them picked off, but it is more work than I feel I need to do when I am happier with other varieties.

I agree, i decided size does matter - when it comes to basil leaves! It just seems easier to pick, and use, when they're the size of the "italian" or genovese.

 

[Liana]

Hi liana, welcome! Do you think you could post us a picture of your red rubin? Sounds interesting, i could have every color of the rainbow basil!

Thanks! Well, I should have gotten a pic of it before this heat wave, it was prettier. It's looking kind of beat up at the moment. I should just pull it and dry it already.

 

[stepstephens2]

Some Thai basil has not worked well for me.

. . . not well at all :/.

So far, the best by far has been Siam Queen.

Steve

Siam Queen is my favorite too!

I use it for soup as well as my Thai Basil Beef. Try this:

2 Tb. oil (your choice of type)
1 lrg. cloves garlic minced
1/2 lbs. sliced tender beef (sometimes I get the stuff pre-cut for fajitas) or ground beef
1 or 2 (depending on how hot you like it) chopped Thai chilies
1/2 cup bell peppers cut into strips
1/3 cup thai basil
3 tbs. fish sauce
1 tbs. sugar

Cook first four ingredients on medium heat until meat is done. Add remaining ingredients and cook until bell pepper is cooked but still crisp a little. Serve with Jasmine rice and peanut sauce.

 

[Neko-Chan]

I'm going to try two different types of basil, Thai basil and Sweet Italian. I love basil to death, so really look forward to having them growing.