The Many Flavors of Basil

When is the last time you added some spice to your life? Sweet and spicy, basil is often used to flavor Italian, Asian and other cuisines.  Basil comes in many varieties with unique flavors that compliment an assortment of dishes.  This blog will let you discover the many flavors of basil and the best way to grow it.

Types of Basil

Basil is often divided into four categories — sweet green, dwarf green, purple-leaf and scented leaf.

Sweet Basils

Most sweet green basils have large leaves and white flowers, reaching up to 2 feet tall. Common varieties include 'Genovese' and 'Lettuce Leaf'. True to their name, they tend to have a strong, sweet taste that is perfect for pesto. These larger varieties are good for flower beds or raised beds.

Thai Basil

Thai basil is also in this group and is a bit stronger and spicier, providing a great addition to Asian dishes like spring rolls or Tom Yum soup.

Dwarf Basil

The dwarf basils are more compact with smaller leaves, making them ideal for containers. A common variety is 'Spicy Globe' although a French basil variety called 'Marseillaise Dwarf' is claimed to have the best flavor of all the varieties.

Purple-leaf Basils

Purple-leaf varieties like 'Purple Ruffle' and 'Osmin' can add some color to your garden, container or plate. It tends to be a little milder tasting, making it a fun addition to a salad. The flowers which can be purple, pink or white can also be used in cooking.

Exotic Basils

If you are a bit on the wild side, you can try some exotic and interesting scented leaf basils. Lemon varieties like 'Sweet Dani' lend a mild citrus aroma. 'Mexican Spice' has a subtle spicy cinnamon taste and scent and pairs well with pumpkin, squash or sweet potatoes. Other basils include chocolate, licorice, camphor and anise-scented varieties.

African Blue Basil

The unusual African Blue basil is more of an ornamental herb. It is grown for its lovely leaf coloring and colorful flower stalks rather than for seasoning. It smells divine but tastes rather bland. Its flowers can be used as a dramatic addition to a culinary bouquet. Since it is such a prolific bloomer, it is a great addition to attract pollinators to your garden.

I honestly plant African blue basil in almost every garden bed as a companion plant.

How to Grow Basil?

Basil is easy to grow from seed, so if you want to try some varieties, buy a packet of seeds and see what you like. You can start the seeds in pots to transplant later or directly seed them in the garden. Plant them about ¼ inches down and water them in. Once the seedlings are two to three inches tall, thin them out to 10 inches apart.

When to Plant Basil?

It is best to start seeds in early spring or fall. Although you may have missed the window for seeding, you can still get transplants if you are just starting. During the warmer season, basil wants to flower, so pinch off the flowers to keep producing leaves for seasoning.

If you want to save seeds, let it flower and seed but 150 feet away from another variety or you risk cross-pollination and a different taste next time.

When and How Should I Harvest Basil?

Harvest basil in the early morning just as the dew kisses the leaves and before the sun climbs too high in the sky to capture it at its peak time. This is when the oils in basil, responsible for that intoxicating aroma and robust flavor are most concentrated.

So, grab your scissors and gently snip those fragrant leave. Remember, always aim for just above a pair of leave to encourage more growth. And don't be shy about harvesting! Regular picking actually promotes a bushier plant with more leaves to offer. You can typically harvest up to one-third to one-half of the plant at the time without causing it any harm.

How Do I Preserve Basil?

Have you ever found yourself staring at a lush basil plant, wondering how to capture that summer freshness all year round? You can freeze it, dry it, preserve it in salt.

Freezing Basil

To freeze basil you can blanch it or make pesto cubes. In the blanching method, quickly blanch basil leaves in boiling water for a few seconds, then transfer them to an ice water bath. Pat them dry and place them in a single layer on a baking sheet,. Freeze them until they are solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container.

You can also make pesto cubes by blending basil with olive oil, garlic, nuts (like pine nuts or walnuts), and Parmesan cheese or at a minimum, you can do chopped basil and olive oil. Place the mix in an ice cube tray to freeze or in freezer bags laid flat.

Drying Basil

Since basil has a high moisture content, air-drying basil can cause them to turn dark and unappealing, but you can keep the color if you dry them quickly. Then you can crumble it up and store it in an air-tight container.

In the oven, you can preheat the oven to 200 F, or the lowest possible temperature. Spread the leaves in a single layer on a cookie sheet and cook for 1-3 hours, flipping them every 45 minutes so they dry evenly.

You can also dry basil in the air fryer by preheating the air fryer to 270F, placing them in a single layer in the basket and cooking for 8-12 minutes. Watch them close because they can burn easier with this method.

Lastly, you can microwave them by placing them on a paper towel for 30-second increments, moving the leaves around after each heating. It should take 1.5-3 minutes for them to fully dry out.

Salt Preservation

Blend fresh basil leaves with kosher or sea salt (roughly 2 parts basil to 1 part salt) until finely chopped. Spread the mixture on a baking sheet and let it air dry for a few days. Once dry, store in an airtight container. 

How Long will my Basil Plant Live?

Basil is considered an annual in most areas, but a few may act like a perennial. Many herb novices claim that they kill their herbs, which includes basil, but since it is an annual, it may not be their fault. It should be planted every year. Like most herbs, if you give it too much water, you may kill it.

What Problems Do Basil Plants Have?

Basil has few pest problems, but downy mildew disease can be a problem. It can look like a nutrient deficiency, but spores will be on the underside. Reducing moisture on the leaves can help. The sweet basils are susceptible, but the spicy ones are not. There are also new downy-mildew resistant varieties.

I planted the 'Prospera DMR' Basil from Johnny's Seeds in my garden during the fall and it has grown beautifully compared to my normal sweet basil that got downy mildew.

Conclusion

Now, imagine turning those freshly picked leaves into a vibrant pesto or sprinkling them over a ripe tomato salad. Can you almost taste it? That's the magic of picking basil at just the right moment – it transforms your cooking and brings the freshest flavors to your table. So why wait? Let's get out there, plant some basil and make the most of our basil harvest!

If you need a little help growing vegetables and herbs in containers, check out my Container Grown Goodness course. From selecting the perfect containers to maintaining them with less time and effort, we'll dive deep into the secrets of successful container gardening. And it doesn't stop at basil; we'll explore a variety of vegetables that thrive in containers, ensuring your garden is not only fragrant but also bountiful.