Sweet Basil Plant Information

Ocimum comes from a Greek word meaning "to be fragrant."

It's not surprising that basil is known as king of the herbs. Its complex flavor and refreshing aroma have made sweet basil a favorite in cuisines from around the world. Basil's name is believed to come from the Greek word "basilikon," which means royal or king. With its many varieties this easy-to-grow herb can enhance anyone's garden.

Features

Sweet basil is an annual herb that is grown both for ornamental purpose as well as for cooking. Basil is a member of the mint family. This family is identified by its hairy square-shaped stems. Ocimum basilicum, or sweet basil, is one of over 40 varieties. Basil grows to about 2 1/2 feet in height and is equally wide. The leaf colors can be various shades of green, which is sometimes mixed with purple and yellow. White or purple flowers bloom during summer months.

Types

There are several hearty varieties of sweet basil. Each of these basil plants can add freshness to your garden and kitchen. French basil is said to have the sweetest flavor and darkest green coloring. American basil, or lemon basil, also has a deep green color and sweet, clean flavor. Egyptian basil, also called Reunion or African basil, has a sharper camphor fragrance. Siam Queen, or Thai basil, has a distinct licorice flavor and aroma. Baja basil has a cinnamon quality, which can add an interesting twist for dessert dishes.

Growing

Basil plants thrive in full sun and are at their peak during summer months. Basil seeds can be started indoors or sewn directly in the garden after any threat of frost has passed. Although otherwise hearty, basil is very sensitive to temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Plant sweet basil about 12 inches away from each other. The basil plants will reach maturity in 70 to 80 days. Sweet basil can also be grown indoors on a sunny windowsill but the flavor will be slightly less intense than garden-grown basil.

Uses

Basil is the primary ingredient in pesto sauce and lends itself well to other Italian dishes such as tomato sauces, pizza, soups and even desserts. Basil is a distinctive ingredient in much of southeast Asian cuisine, especially Thai cooking. Basil tea is said to relieve stomach aches and improve digestion. Sweet basil leaves are steeped in oil to add flavor and are used in jellies, vinegars and sorbets. The sweet basil plant itself provides ornamental enhancement to gardens with colors ranging from light green to dark purple.

Preserving

For optimal flavor, harvest sweet basil leaves after buds appear but before they open. Basil leaves can be dried in a single layer on a rack and covered with cheese cloth to keep dust and bugs away. Let the leaves dry for 24 hours in a well-ventilated area away from sunlight. If the leaves turn brown during the drying process they have been exposed to too much heat and have lost their flavor. Sweet basil can be chopped and mixed with water to freeze in ice cube trays. Leaves can also be frozen whole for storage. Wrap the sweet basil in plastic or keep in plastic freezer bags.

References

• Ohio State University Department of Horticulture: Basil
• Purdue University Department of Horticulture: Sweet Basil
• United States National Arboretum: Basil
• Iowa State University Reiman Gardens: Basil