Collection: Basil
(Also known as Great Basil)
What does basil taste like?
The basil flavour is a steadiness between mint, star anise, and pepper. Basil is a native of India, where one variety is considered a sacred plant. It is a particularly fragrant herb with a delicate, almost liquorice-like flavour. Part of the mint family, it means "Royal" or "Kingly" in Latin translation. Commonly used in Italian cuisine, basil is an excellent garnish for pizza, pasta, and soup dishes. It can also add depth to a pasta sauce.
What flavours go with Basil?
- Anise
- Clove
- Coconut
- Fig
- Garlic
- Lemon
- Lime
- Mint
- Raspberry
- Tomato
- Walnut
Basil and tomato are two flavours that we are all familiar with. Sofrito, our 14th-century Catalan blend, is one delicious example with its tomatoey undertones alongside basil, making the perfect foundation for a Ragu. Our 13th-century Arabian mixed herb blend Baqa with its garlic undertones and basil is a great marriage for chicken vol-au-vents at your next party.
What are the health benefits of Basil?
Basil is an excellent source of Vitamin K, manganese with a source of copper, and vitamins A and C. It has been used for stomach problems such as constipation.
What are interesting facts about Basil?
- The ancient Egyptians used basil for embalming mummies. In India, it was considered an antidote against snake bites.
What is the chief flavour compound of Basil?
Eugenol: (medicinal, woody and warming) colourless dull yellow fragrant oil-based liquid, also found in cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and bay leaf.
