Whether you grow it in your garden or in a pot in your kitchen, basil makes a great plant to grow. There are many different types of basil, each that can be great for your cooking needs. They will smell just as good as they taste, while also being easy to grow, making them perfect for your garden.
Basil is a member of the mint family and is native to India, though it is now grown all over the world. It is a popular herb to use in Italian, Thai, and Vietnamese dishes. Though sweet basil is perhaps the most popular type, there are several other great varieties that you can grow at home.
Types Of Basil And Their Uses
Basil is one of the most popular herbs used in the culinary world. It is great for growing at home, in your garden or kitchen, as it is a relatively plant to maintain.
There are many different varieties of basil that you can grow, all of which have delicious flavors great for cooking. They can range anywhere in height from eight inches tall to up to four feet tall, depending on the variety.
Sweet Basil
Sweet basil is the most popular type of basil that has rounded cup-shaped leaves that are medium green in color. It is ideal for using in marinades, pesto and salads. In addition, it is great for using on pizzas, pasta and in other Italian dishes.
Sweet basil is also be known to work as a mosquito repellent. It is a great go-to basil for all your cooking needs as it has a great flavor.
Thai Sweet Basil
Thai basil has dark pointed leaves and dark purple flowers heads and stems that contrast with the dark green leaves. It is known for having a spicy, licorice flavor, making it great for Asian dishes such as Sesame Noodles or Thai Basil Chicken. The distinct flavor sets it apart from other types of basils,
Genovese Basil
Genovese basil is another popular type of basil. It is the classic Italian basil that has extra-large dark green leaves. Though similar to sweet basil, it is flatter and pointier while also being more aromatic.
Genovese is great for using in traditional Italian dishes including pesto, pasta and pizza. It can oftentimes be used interchangeably with sweet basil.
Purple Basil
Purple basil has a beautiful, striking purple color. Though not as sweet as other varieties, it is highly aromatic and has a stronger clove taste. It is great for adding to vinegar to add a beautiful color and flavor to dishes.
Lemon Basil
Lemon basil is growing in popularity thanks to its lovely lemon scent. It has light green leaves and a lovely sweet flavor. It is great for marinades, salads, chicken, fish, lemonade and even dessert.
Holy Basil
Holy basil has a sweet but spicy scent and is best eaten raw, as it can be slightly bitter. It is deeply respected within the religion of Hindu. This variety is popular in Indian cuisine, particularly in meat curries.
Lime Basil
Sweet with a mild citrus flavor, lime basil has bright green leaves. It is great for chicken, sauces, marinades and desserts. Lime basil also pairs great when used with lemon basil.
Lettuce Basil
Lettuce basil has large floppy leaves that are slightly wrinkly. The leaves have a slightly sweet mild flavor. Lettuce basil is great for salads and to garnish dishes as well.
Park Seed Lettuce Leaf Basil Seeds, Includes 100 Seeds in a Pack
Cinnamon Basil
Cinnamon basil is spicy, fragrant and vibrant in color. The flowers are pink at maturity and the stems are a reddish, purple color. It is great for using in marinades, fried rice, pasta dishes and with roasted vegetables.
Greek Basil
Greek basil is one of the smallest varieties of basil, with small pointed leaves, growing to be around only eight inches tall. It is a great option to use in soups, salads and meat dishes. In addition, it also makes a great garnish with your favorite meals.
Napoletano Basil
Napoletano basil is a sweet variety of basil, but it is slightly spicier than sweet basil. It has medium green leaves and is very similar in appearance to sweet basil. It is particularly great for pesto and other popular Italian dishes.
Christmas Basil
Christmas basil has a lovely fruit flavor to it. Christmas basil has medium green leaves with dark purple flowers. It is great for using with salads as well as drinks.
Italian Large Leaf Basil
Italian large leaf basil has large, green leaves. It is similar to Genovese, but it is even sweeter in flavor. It is great to use in traditional Italian dishes, drinks, and desserts
The Many Different Delicious Types Of Basil
Basil is a great herb you can grow in your kitchen or garden that is great for gardeners of all experience levels. It tastes great in a variety of dishes and is particularly popular in Italian and Asian dishes. Each type has its own flavor profile and is great for particular dishes.
Though sweet basil is the most popular type of basil, there are many great other types that make for a wonderful addition to your kitchen. Most varieties will grow well in different locations.
Do you have any questions regarding the types of basil? If so, please ask any questions about growing and using basil in the comment section below.
FAQ’s
How Many Types of Basil are There?
There are between an estimated 50-150 different types of basil. Most of the different types of culinary basils are cultivars of O. basilicum, which is also known as sweet basil.
What are the Different Types of Basil?
The different types of basils can be broken down into Ocimum basilicum cultivars, Ocimum americanum and Ocimum ×citriodorum cultivars. However, there are a few types that fall into the other species and hybrids category.
What is the Most Common Type of Basil?
The most common type of basil you will find is sweet basil. It is a versatile type with a slightly sweet flavor that is great in many different things including marinades, pesto, pasta, pizza, chicken and more.
Anna is an avid gardener who loves the outdoors and spending time in nature. She has been gardening since she was a child and has a passion for growing her own food and flowers. She enjoys experimenting with different types of plants and techniques to create beautiful and bountiful gardens. She is always trying to learn more about gardening and is an active member of her local gardening club. She loves to share her knowledge and experience with others and is always willing to lend a helping hand. Anna believes that gardening is a great way to bring people together and foster a sense of community.
