what's your favorite kind of basil?
 

What kind of basil do you like to grow?

I like genovese. I am thinking of growing sacred basil for the fun of it.

What do you like? Why?

I grew both Genovese and Valentino last year. I liked the Genovese for pesto, but the Valentino was my choice for tomato salads and bruschetta topping.

I really like the purple ruffles basil. It has the same taste as the green, but is very eye catching in a dish with tomatoes, especially if the tomatoes are all different colors! (You didn't think we could talk about something else without even mentioning tomatoes, did you?)

Yikes. Favorite? Have not found one I didnt like. Last year I had about 30 Genovese, 20 sweet italian, 4 Thai and 4 Opal. I like the sheer bulk i get from the genovese. I like the classic taste of the sweet italian. I like the way the thai goes with mint, fish sauce, coconut milk and smoking hot chilis, and I put the opal in everything because it tastes good and adds a color other than green.

Tom

Hard to pick a favourite....since I've lost track of how many different ones I've grown over the past 30 years or so. Traditionals are one thing, but I also love the fruit flavoured ones too. I really like the lemon and lime ones....but the flavours of sacred or holy basil is not to be missed if you get a chance. Some interesting nuances to look for in them.

Zana

genovese for flavor, nufar for disease resistance.

i grow about a dozen different basils each year.

i disagree that purple ruffles tastes like "regular" basil.

this time of year the hands down winner is greek columnar however because it's still growing.

The Genovese for cooking. Siam Queen for ornamental. Mrs. burn's
lemon for it's fragrance. I did buy a little cookbook to lean how to use
most of my herbs for next season.

Last year I had this really cool green with purple flecks that im trying to see if it comes back or not lol that was awesome for pics

Id have to say I love the look of the Saim queen tho there was a fuzzy holy that I got at my greenhouse one year that was amazing to grow --tho I haven't grown too many types compared to what's out there lol

Now ask me my favourite herb and I'll say chocolate mint withought question just because a year withought it growing would be bad luck lol


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chocolate mint? does it really taste like chocolate and mint or is it a brown mint?

Yes, it REALLY does. Last year was my first experience with it and it still is overwintering. It tastes very chocolaty and it is a chef's favorite.

Thai Basil or Siam Basil

Genovese and Opal. The purple ruffles doesn't grow as well for me, and the color fades.

I got desperate making spanakapita last weekend when DH forgot the mint - ran out to the unseasonably warm garden & found some chocolate mint still going. It worked very well in the recipe, very strong tasting. I was growing it in planters around the pool. LOVE the smell on a hot summer day.

I love every kind of basil :D especially with tomato, garlic & olive oil toasted on Naan bread.:yes: Mmmm... great, now I am starving.

I always grow Genovese and Large Italian, but last year I grew Spicy Globe Basil and it was great for recipes since my kids aren't keen on big leaves in their food, lol..

And if you like Chocolate Mint, you must try Orange and Pineapple too, awesome for lemonade or iced tea or other adult beverages!

Ditto Nicky....and I'm stuck "manning" a recruiting booth at U of Waterloo's Clubs Days and no mint or naan in sight....sighhhhhhhh....lunch is a long way off and now I'm starving too....lol


Orange and Pineapple are good too. Somebody I know was trying to cross chocolate and orange. Will have to check how that cross-breeding is doing.

Zana

;)