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.
What is the most common type of basil?
Sweet Basil
What is the difference between basil and Greek basil?
Sweet basil, also known as regular or Italian basil (botanical name: Ocimum basilicum) is a fragrant herb used extensively in Italian cooking. Greek Basil has small oval green leaves with a slightly softer sweeter flavour than the more traditional Basil Sweet Genovese.
Which basil is easiest to grow?
The most common type of basil is sweet basil; other types include purple basil (less sweet than common basil), lemon basil (lemon flavor), and Thai basil (licorice flavor). Basil is easy to grow, but it only grows outdoors in the summer—and only once the soil has warmed up nicely—so plan accordingly.
What is the best tasting basil?
The essence of summer, sweet basil is the widest grown type of basil. It has rounded, cup-shaped leaves with the classic spicy clove flavor beloved by gardeners and cooks. This type includes common and Genovese basils and is the one to grow if you want plenty of leaves for pesto.
What can I use if I don’t have Thai basil?
No Thai Basil? No problem! Some recipes call for Thai basil, a pungent variety that can be hard to find in grocery stores. To duplicate its flavor, use common “Italian” basil and add a few fresh mint sprigs to the recipe.
What can be used in place of Thai basil?
sweet basil
How do I keep Trader Joe’s basil alive?
Like a box of instant cake mix, basil plants just need water. Keep the soil of your basil plants slightly moist at all times. Depending on how much sun your basil gets, you might need to water your basil plant every 1-2 days. But make sure that the pot has good drainage, because soggy soil can lead to rotting roots.
Why do basil plants always die?
Why is my Basil plant dying? The two most common causes of a Basil plant dying are overwatering and underwatering. Temperature stress, lighting problems, disease, or pests are also common causes of a basil plant wilting or dying.
How do you care for basil from the grocery store?
As with most container plants, you’ll need to continue to water regularly (probably once every two or three days) and make sure to keep the soil just-moist. Do not let the soil dry out between waterings, and don’t overwater either — you don’t want it soaking wet, just damp.