Quick Guide to Basil

Here’s everything you need to know about basil! Everything you need to know about growing, harvesting, storing and how best to use this fresh herb.

The most iconic herb of all? basil. This fresh herb is grown all over the world and is known for its fresh, peppery taste. Make it into sauces, toss it into salads, or top it on pizzas. It’s the main ingredient in common Italian dishes, and the Thai variety is also common in Southeast Asian curries and spring rolls. Here’s everything you need to know about this cool weed: what it is, how to grow and harvest it, and the best way to use it.

What is basil?

Basil is a herb from the mint family. It is native to Africa and Southeast Asia but is now grown all over the world. The most common type in Western cooking is basil, the plant that gives pesto its light green color and peppery flavor. But there are dozens of different species and varieties of the plant. The most common main types of basil are:

• basillight green and is used in Italian and Mediterranean cuisine (a common variety is called Genoese basil)
• Lemon Basila light green variety with a citrus scent
• Thai basila purple-stem, anise-flavored variety used in Southeast Asian cuisine (see Thai Basil Guide)
• Holy Basila variety with a spicy musky scent that is also used in Southeast Asian cuisine

How does basil taste? Sweet basil has a fresh flavor with a black pepper finish and subtle hints of aniseed and mint. It is milder than the Thai variety, which has a strong black liquorice flavor.

Where to find it Basil is easy to grow at home, which is the cheapest and easiest way to access it. Or you can find it fresh in most grocery stores in the produce section.

basil substitute

Are there substitutes for basil? Do you cook classic basil recipes like caprese salad, basil pesto or margherita pizza? Try to find the original: it has a unique peppery taste that is worth searching for. But if you’re doing something less iconic, here are some ideas:

• oregano works in no time and brings Mediterranean taste
• tarragon can stand, although it has a stronger aniseed flavor
• mint works well because it belongs to the same family of herbs, but the flavor has more refreshing peppermint notes

Growing basil: some tips!

The Best Way to Access Basil? Grow it at home! All you need is a pot and a sunny ledge: no garden necessary. Here are some quick tips for growing basil:

• Purchase a starter plant from a farmer’s market or garden store. This is the most reliable way to breed it.
• Plant in full sun in a pot with drainage, a raised bed, or soil. Use potting soil or garden mix to plant the starter in a pot. Make sure the pot has holes in the bottom to allow water to drain. If you have a garden, this herb grows well in raised beds due to the drainage. Place the plant in a location that receives 6 to 8 hours of full sun per day.
• water it down regularly. Keep the soil around the plant moist and water it every few days.
• prune the plant regularly. Be sure to pick and use the leaves regularly: it helps the plant grow! Remove all flowers immediately. See instructions below.

How to harvest basil

Are you growing basil but don’t know how to harvest it? Trimming can be tricky as it looks backwards. Removing the leaves seems to harm the plant, doesn’t it? Instead, it’s the best way to stimulate new growth and help the plant grow bushy and strong. How to harvest basil:

1. Once a branch has six to eight leaves, cut off the stem and leaves except for the first few leaves. Correct: do not remove individual leaves! This will help the plant branch out and grow tall and bushy.
2. When the flowers begin to grow, cut them off immediately. The flowers mean that the plant’s growth cycle has ended.
3. Cut the leaves regularly: this will help the plant to grow! If you bring the branches indoors, store the fresh weed properly to prolong its life (read on).

storage information

Basil is best used fresh. When using it in recipes, harvest a few sprigs of the herb and then remove the leaves. You can store the cut stems in a jar in the fridge. How to store basil:

• Find a large jar and add a few inches of water. Make sure the pot is big enough so the stems don’t get crushed or pushed in.
• Place the stems in the jar, cut side down. Screw on the pot lid, which helps keep the herb fresh.
• Store in the fridge for 3-5 days.

Other ways to store basil? The best way is to make pesto! You can freeze the pesto in an ice cube tray and then transfer it to a large freezer bag or container. You can also dry the weed, but we don’t recommend this as a lot of the flavor is lost in the drying process. (See Drying Basil.)

Top 10 Basil Recipes

Basil is a fresh herb that flavors several signature dishes, and it’s a perfect backup character in others. You can add it to pizza, pasta, sauces, cocktails and salads to add a touch of peppery, fresh flavor. Here are the 10 best ways to use basil in your cooking! Or go to Top Basil Recipes or Thai basil receipts.

More herbal recipes and information!

Do you like cooking with herbs? We also. They are one of the most transformative elements for homemade recipes! Here are some additional articles on growing and cooking with herbs: