Dark Opal Basil

After reading my article on Basil, one of my wonderful readers requested more information on the different types of Basil.  Here is some basic information on six of the most common Basils grown in the Bluegrass area.

1.)    Lemon Basil, or Ocimum citriodorum,  is a hybrid herb grown primarily in northeastern Africa and southern Asia, but can be found in many herb gardens in the United States. In Indonesia, Lemon Basil is called “kemangi.” It has a strong fragrant lemon scent and is primarily used in cooking. 

It has stems that can grow to 12 – 15 inches tall. It has white flowers in late summer to early fall. The leaves are similar to Sweet Basil leaves, but tend to be narrower. Seeds form on the plant after flowering and dry on the plant.
 

This is a popular herb in Indonesian, Malaysia, Thai, Arabian, and Persian cuisine. It is great in curries, stews and stir-fries. It is often eaten raw, as a seasoning in soups and salads, or as a garnish.

2.)    Dark Opal Basil is a cultivar of Sweet Basil and was developed at the University of Connecticut in the 1950s. With deep purple, sometimes mottled leaves, it is grown more for its decorative appeal than as a culinary herb. 
 

This Basil,  and many of the other purple cultivars, has a high concentration of anthocyanins – a water soluable pigment - and is considered a potential source of red pigments for the food industry. Dark Opal is also used to dye homespun yarns and cloth

3.)    Cinnamon Basil is a cultivar of Sweet Basil and contains cinnamate, the same chemical that gives cinnamon its flavor and strong smell. The leaves are dark green and small to medium sized on reddish stems and it has purple flowers. It can grow up to 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide and is a favorite among herb gardeners.
 

The combination of Basil and cinnamon flavors make Cinnamon Basil popular for use in hot drinks and with fruits. It is great for flavoring apple sauce and apple pies, for seasoning pork or ham, or for steeping in olive oil to make a cinnamon flavored oil.
 

Most garden pests do not like the scent of Cinnamon Basil, so this is a great plant to grow even if you don’t use it for cooking.

4.)   Thai Basil has a stronger taste than many other Sweet Basils. This herb has small leaves, purple stems and a subtle licorice or mint flavor. One of the most popular cultivars in the United States is 'Queen of Siam'.
 

This Basil is used as a condiment in Thai and Vietnamese dishes. Thai Basil is an important ingredient in “Thai chicken/pork/seafood with basil leaf.” In Thailand it is also eaten as a vegetable with whole leaves and sprigs being cooked into dishes.
 

5.)   Spicy Globe Basil is a cultivar of Sweet Basil, but unlike some better known Basils, it grows in the form of a tidy, compact bush, more suitable for gardens and small pots than most varieties. The small, densely growing leaves are used in the same way as the leaves of other Sweet Basil varieties. Although this is a beautiful herb to grow, this is my least favorite tasting Basil.
 

6.)   Large-leaf Basil is a Sweet Basil that produces very high yields. As the name suggests, this is a large herb with medium-dark green leaves. Plant in full sun and harvest frequently to keep from going to flower.

You can also read articles on:

• Basil
• Sage