Organic Thai basil

Seeds:  250  / Botanical name:  Ocimum basilicum

Delicious chicken curries and exotic noodle soups!

Thai basil is an essential ingredient in the increasingly popular Far Eastern cuisine of Thailand and Vietnam. The slightly sweet flavor of its fragrant leaves, which grow on dark, purple stems, is reminiscent of anise and licorice. Its shoots can be harvested fresh throughout the summer. Thai basil is also a visual delight, as its leaves contrast beautifully with the flower heads and their pinkish-purple blossoms.

Natural habitat:  Thai basil originates from Thailand and Malaysia.

In the kitchen:  Thai basil differs significantly in flavor from European varieties. In Asia, it is used as a seasoning in salads, with fish and many chicken dishes, as well as in curries with coconut milk. The leaves are added whole or finely chopped towards the end of cooking to allow their full aroma to develop. Thai cuisine also features fried leaves as a flavorful accompaniment to fried fish, and the aromatic flavor of Vietnamese noodle soup is largely based on Thai basil. You shouldn't dry the leaves, as they quickly lose their aroma. Freezing is also not recommended, as the leaves become very mushy after thawing.