Botanical name : Ocimum basilicum
Flavor Profile : With notes of clove, anise, and mint, this sauce is sweet, peppery, and spicy
Basil originated in India but is now grown in warm climates across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, making it one of the most popular herbs in summer.
Numerous varieties of basil can be cultivated, and there are numerous ways to prepare them in cuisines all over the world.
There are several basil varieties commonly used in Western cuisines, including sweet basil, purple ruffles, purple ruffles, cinnamon, lettuce, and African blue. Out of these varieties, sweet basil is the most common variety used in western cuisine. Italian, Thai, Vietnamese, and Laotian cuisines use basil extensively.
It can’t be cooked for a long time or at high temperatures since basil is a tender herb. To add to a cooked dish, do so just before serving or during the last few minutes of cooking.
Varieties of Basil
- Purple ruffles basil
- Lemon basil
- Bush basil
- Licorice basil
- African blue
- Cinnamon basil
- Lettuce basil
Health benefits of Basil
Fresh basil makes an excellent natural anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant supplement. It maintains your immune system, improves the health of your heart and arteries. It also relieves inflammatory bowel conditions and digestive disorders. It is a good source of Vitamin A, iron, calcium and magnesium. Additionally, studies have shown that the tasty herb reduces stress and anxiety. You can rub basil leaves on insect bites to prevent itching and rashes. For more nutrition and caloric value details, please check the link HERE.
How to grow Basil indoors
An annual like basil can be grown inside the house all year long, provided the container has adequate drainage and is placed on a sunny windowsill.
Basil requires relatively low maintenance, and it can grow in almost any climate. However, the soil needs to be well-drained while also retaining enough moisture to prevent wilting. For basil to thrive, it requires direct sun exposure (at least 6 to 8 hours) and adequate water supplies.
Plant size
1 – 2 feet ( 12 – 24 inch OR 30 – 60cm ) Also depends on the variety.
Container / pot Size
10 inches Diameter ( 25 cm )
Refer how to choose the right container for your indoor plants for more details
Sunlight
Full Sun. A lot of light is essential for growing basil (a south-facing sunny windowsill can be a good place to place the container). Place in a warm room. A small fan blowing away from the container can be used to provide ventilation if needed.
Refer Best locations and Light requirements for indoor plants for more details.
Soil
Rich, moist and well drained potting mix or soil mixed with good quality compost. Soil temperature of 68 to 70 degree Fahrenheit (20 – 21 degree Celsius) is considered ideal for growing basil indoors.
Sowing
Can be sown by seeds or young plants from nursery. Sow the seeds any time. However, sowing the seeds after frost is advisable. Plant seeds 1/4th of an inch deep in the potting mix. As a thumb rule, you can sow the seeds in early to mid spring season.
Keep a distance of almost 8 inches between the two seeds. (you can also change this spacing based on your experience. Usually a spacing of 12 inches is recommended). It is important to ventilate basil properly since it is susceptible to fungi. Avoid bunching of the the plants. In 60-90 days the plant will reach maturity.
To graft or transplant, make an angled cut 6 inches below the leaf node with sanitized snips or a sharp grafting knife. The lower leaves of the cutting must be removed. Place the cutting in a jar with water. Changing the water frequently is necessary. Let the roots develop before transplanting the cutting into good quality potting soil.
Quick tip: Basil will start germinating in 7-10 days. You can start transplanting the basil plant as soon as 3-4 set of leaves (cotyledons) appear on the plant.
Watering
There are quite a few things to keep in mind when watering basil. Basil thrives in damp, free-draining conditions. In wet or waterlogged soil, basil quickly becomes infected with fungal diseases.
Basil needs plenty of drainage holes in the pot it is planted in, and it should be watered every two to three days. To make it simple, water the plant whenever the soil feels dry to the touch.
You can also protect your basil from diseases by not wetting the leaves. Additionally, wet leaves will become yellow in the sun.
Quick tip: You should water the plant only around its base and not over its leaves. To prevent soil over-saturation, you can also spray water on the soil with a spray bottle.
Harvesting
Throughout the season, clip or gently pinch off the leaves as they mature. Take only a few sprigs from each plant at a time. You can start with those at the very top and new ones will grow.
You should avoid removing the lower, woody sections of the stems, which will lead to the plant dying back. Make sure you harvest everything before the first fall frost.
Plant care
As soon as you see flowers, cut them to encourage new growth and avoid seeding. Take special care of the plant in frost conditions.
For a leafy crop, you can also apply an all-purpose liquid fertilizer (10-10-10) to mature basil plants every 2 weeks. However, if the potting soil is of good quality, this is an optional practice.
SUBSTITUTES FOR BASIL IN THE KITCHEN
- Thyme
- Baby spinach
- Oregano
- Arugula
- Cilantro
How to keep basil fresh
Dried basil loses its flavor significantly, so it should not be dried.
You can store basil leaves in oil. Or you can also freeze them in ice-cube trays.
Please refer to how to store herbs and spices for more details.
How to use basil in the kitchen
Any dish can be flavored with fresh basil, especially if it is added just before serving. This ingredient is used in a number of Italian dishes, including pesto sauces, caprese salads, pizzas, pasta sauces, marinades, and salad dressings.
In case basil is cooked in the dish slightly, then you can always add a little bit more fresh basil after the food is cooked. This will ensure restoring the flavor which was lost in the cooking process.
Dishes : Sauces, soups, Pizza, Pasta, salads, dressings, marinades.
Preparation : Used as whole leaves or can be torn into smaller pieces depending on the size and cuisine.
Pairing basil with food
Seasoning : Chives, parsley, Cilantro, Balsamic vinegar, Oregano, Savory, Capers, Rosemary, Garlic, Thyme, Mint.
Fruits and Vegetables : Mushrooms (Enoki Mushroom, Morel Mushroom, White Mushroom / Button mushroom, Cremini Mushroom, Portabella Mushroom, Shiitake Mushroom, Maitake Mushroom, Chanterelle Mushrooms, Oyster Mushroom), Tomatoes, Artichokes, Olives ( Green olives, black olives ), Eggplant, Zucchini, Potatoes ( White Potato, Red Potato, Russet Potato, Purple Potato ), Beans ( Hyacinth beans, Edamame / Soybeans, Cowpea / Snake Bean, Cluster beans, Broadbeans / Fava Beans, Black Beans, Green Beans, Azuki Beans / Adzuki Beans ).
Proteins : Fish and seafood, Cheeses, Eggs, Chicken, Pork, Beef.
