Thai basil is a special kind of basil from Southeast Asia with a distinctive, almost spicy, anise-like flavor that is more stable under high cooking temperatures than sweet basil.
Varieties
Thai basil has small, narrow leaves and its stems have a purplish-hue.
Preparation
Thai basil is a versatile herb that can be eaten raw in salads with tangy dressings or added to simmering curries and soups.
Storage Tips
Keeping the stems in a vase of water can help delay basil’s rapid deterioration, but fresh basil should either be eaten or preserved within a few days of harvesting because basil wilts very quickly, once picked.
Basil does not respond well to cold temperatures, so please don’t refrigerate it.
Long Term Storage Tips
Like sweet basil, Thai basil doesn’t retain its flavor well when dried, so it’s best to use fresh Thai basil whenever possible.
Freezing chopped basil in ice cube trays filled with a little olive oil or preserving in salt are the two best ways to keep basil for long term storage.
Nutrition
Basil is rich in bone-building vitamin K and contains volatile oils that protect against unwanted bacterial growth.
Seasonality
Summertime
Recipes
Sriracha Tofu with Eggplant and Basil
Thai Basil Eggplant
Thai Lettuce Wraps