Blue Spice with its slightly fuzzy leaves
One of my favorite herbs, and one of the easiest to grow in tropical and sub tropical climates. It always puzzles me why basil is hardly ever grown in the
The variations in the varieties of basil are so great its like growing more than one herb. My marvelous discovery of this basil growing season has been Blue Spice basil, which lives up to its description of smelling “fruity with vanilla”. It’s the most delightful smelling basil. It tastes like it smells, too, so its nice in fruit salads and drinks.
Thai basil
I sowed Johhny’s Queenette-Thai basils are so aromatic and totally necessary for certain Asian dishes. Great also sprinkled on pizza and pasta. Queenette ties with “Siam Magic” as the best Thai basil I have grown. You can keep Thai basil plants going for a couple years in warm climates. Many Asian recipes in the American media which call for cilantro actually use Thai basil in the original.
I also sowed “Johnny’s Bouquet mix” though I really can’t tell for sure which types came up (except for the Thai, purple and lemon varieties) and but all plants are wonderfully fragrant, with tasty leaves.
The best lemon basil I ever had was from a plant grown from a packet of Samen Mauser brand seed I picked up in
A complement to basil in dishes, this one is grown all over the Caribbean-habanero pepper-this particular one wickedly hot. One pepper pod equals use in an entire week's cooking! I use a tiny chip when making pesto.
12 comments:
We are still a few weeks away from being able to plant our basil seeds here in Portland. Thank you for the teaser! This is THE BEST herb ever. It just smells like summer!
I LOVE basil. Right now I'm growing two kinds: Sweet basil and lemon basil. I use them so much for cooking especially in my spaghetti sauce! I love savory herbs :)
I also love basil and I had a plant in my container garden in CA. Someone in Trinidad once told me that keeping a basil plant inside your house helps to keep away the mosquitoes.
Hi Nicole,
Thank you for the vegetable advice. I really need it. I love my basil and so far, it has grown very well. I used some in our dinner tonight :-)
Blue spice? I've never even heard of it, but it sounds like something I'd grow! I am still waiting for the rain to stop and the temps to climb, which I know will make my young basil plants very, very happy. I've planted the genovese and thai types too - a MUST in every kitchen!
Nicole girl it is a pity that you do not live next door to me. All those basil varieties would have me knocking at your door on a regular basis.
Oh - that reminds me. I have basil seeds to plant. Spring is just so busy.
I have a difficult time growing basil in our area unless I plant it in pots to keep it warmer. I am truly envious of your basil. The smell of basil makes my mouth water!
Wonderful Basil; I could not imagine my garden without it. You have many varieties. Some years I have trouble with grasshoppers, they love it too.
This year was not as bad. I like to make home made pesto. We visit sometimes a delightful small Japanese
restaurant. The food is always delightful. Anyway Lilli took the small sprig of Basil home, as it looked different from the ones we grow, (she loves gardening too). It grew to a nice little plant and she described it as absolutely wonderful. It might be the one you describe as blue spice. She said she brings me a piece to grow.
I have not heard "Samen Mauser" for a very long time. I used to go to this shop in Zuerich.
Is the hot chilli the same I call Scots bonnet? Some of those are very, very hot and some are quite reasonably hot. I have also experienced this with the Jalapenos which I grow a lot to make chilli jam. This has become a bit long I hope you do not mind. Cheers T.
aloha,
i love basil also, they are so easy to grow and use for many purposes, i'll be doing an appetizer dish in a local cooking competition this weekend and will be using alot of thai basil for an asian inspired pupu(appetizer)
What a wonderful post! Yes, like mint there are a wide range of basil varieties to suit every taste. I love the genovese basil simply crushed on top of a plate of freshly picked and sliced beefsteak tomatoes. I love the Thai basil in a hot/sour soup or rolled up inside a fresh spring roll!
I have grown lemon, lime, sweet and red rubin basils......my favorite. In some islands in the Caribbean basil is called 'poor man's pork'. A few leaves of red rubin basil adds a lovely red color to my lemonade or mint teas.
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