Micro Italian Basil
Estimated Inventory, 4 oz : 17.00
This item was last sold on : 07/11/25
Grower
Micro Italian basil is very small in size, averaging 5-7 centimeters in height, and has 2-4 bright green leaves that are connected to a pale green stem. The first set of leaves to open, or the cotyledons, have a smooth texture and a rounded spade-shape, while the second pair, or the true leaves, are more oval and resemble a tiny version of mature basil. Micro Italian basil is crisp, tender, and aromatic with a green, subtle clove-like flavor that is followed by a sweet finish with notes of citrus, pepper, and mild anise.
Micro Italian Basil is available year-round.
Micro Italian basil is the young, tiny, edible version of one of the most commonly grown herbs and is harvested 14-25 days after sowing. Prized for its pungent yet classic sweet and spicy flavor, Micro Italian basil is predominately used as a garnish on a variety of culinary dishes to add an extra layer of flavor, texture, and aesthetic appeal.
Micro Italian basil contains some vitamins A, B6, C, E, and K, calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, copper, magnesium, and potassium.
Micro Italian basil greens are best suited for raw applications as their delicate nature cannot withstand high heat. The mild and sweet characteristics of Micro Italian basil make it ideal for incorporating into both savory and sweet applications. They can be used as a garnish on pasta, pizza, quiche, soups, green salads, and fruit salads. They can also add flavor to lemonade and fruity cocktails like mojitos, gimlets, or martinis or be combined into dips, dressing, and sauces. Much like mature basil, Micro Italian basil works well with many classic pairings including tomatoes, garlic, onion, corn, and mozzarella cheese, and also pairs well with blueberries, strawberries, apricot, pineapple, nectarines, peaches, watermelon, vanilla, lemon verbena, coconut, honey, ginger, cinnamon, and white chocolate. Micro Italian basil will keep 5-7 days when stored unwashed, in a sealed container, and in the refrigerator.
Microgreens have recently become a favorite edible garnish for chefs in fine dining restaurants because of their ease of use and increased aesthetic appeal. Consumers today are more aware of the visual presentation of a dish due to social media and the sharing of food photos. With this awareness, restaurants are finding new ways to create unique looking dishes to be promoted over these platforms. Microgreens are also packed with nutrients and provide the consumer with fresh, green flavors year-round without laborious preparation.
Basil is native to India and was introduced to the Mediterranean and Asia via trade routes and immigrants during ancient times. It was then brought to the New World in 1621 with colonists and early settlers. Micro Italian basil was one of the first microgreens produced and became popular in the 1980s-1990s when fine dining restaurants began adding them as a garnish to dishes. Today Micro Italian basil is available through select distributors and at specialty grocers in the United States, Europe, and Asia.
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
the
other 45...
Recipes that include Micro Italian Basil. One
is easiest, three is harder.
| Fresh Origins | Homepage |
Description/Taste
Micro Italian basil is very small in size, averaging 5-7 centimeters in height, and has 2-4 bright green leaves that are connected to a pale green stem. The first set of leaves to open, or the cotyledons, have a smooth texture and a rounded spade-shape, while the second pair, or the true leaves, are more oval and resemble a tiny version of mature basil. Micro Italian basil is crisp, tender, and aromatic with a green, subtle clove-like flavor that is followed by a sweet finish with notes of citrus, pepper, and mild anise.
Seasons/Availability
Micro Italian Basil is available year-round.
Current Facts
Micro Italian basil is the young, tiny, edible version of one of the most commonly grown herbs and is harvested 14-25 days after sowing. Prized for its pungent yet classic sweet and spicy flavor, Micro Italian basil is predominately used as a garnish on a variety of culinary dishes to add an extra layer of flavor, texture, and aesthetic appeal.
Nutritional Value
Micro Italian basil contains some vitamins A, B6, C, E, and K, calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, copper, magnesium, and potassium.
Applications
Micro Italian basil greens are best suited for raw applications as their delicate nature cannot withstand high heat. The mild and sweet characteristics of Micro Italian basil make it ideal for incorporating into both savory and sweet applications. They can be used as a garnish on pasta, pizza, quiche, soups, green salads, and fruit salads. They can also add flavor to lemonade and fruity cocktails like mojitos, gimlets, or martinis or be combined into dips, dressing, and sauces. Much like mature basil, Micro Italian basil works well with many classic pairings including tomatoes, garlic, onion, corn, and mozzarella cheese, and also pairs well with blueberries, strawberries, apricot, pineapple, nectarines, peaches, watermelon, vanilla, lemon verbena, coconut, honey, ginger, cinnamon, and white chocolate. Micro Italian basil will keep 5-7 days when stored unwashed, in a sealed container, and in the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Microgreens have recently become a favorite edible garnish for chefs in fine dining restaurants because of their ease of use and increased aesthetic appeal. Consumers today are more aware of the visual presentation of a dish due to social media and the sharing of food photos. With this awareness, restaurants are finding new ways to create unique looking dishes to be promoted over these platforms. Microgreens are also packed with nutrients and provide the consumer with fresh, green flavors year-round without laborious preparation.
Geography/History
Basil is native to India and was introduced to the Mediterranean and Asia via trade routes and immigrants during ancient times. It was then brought to the New World in 1621 with colonists and early settlers. Micro Italian basil was one of the first microgreens produced and became popular in the 1980s-1990s when fine dining restaurants began adding them as a garnish to dishes. Today Micro Italian basil is available through select distributors and at specialty grocers in the United States, Europe, and Asia.
Learn More...Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Seven Seas Roasting Co. | San Diego CA | 619-261-7275 |
| Birdseye Rooftop | San Diego CA | 619-206-7220 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Bistro Kitchen | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| Rose Café | Carlsbad CA | 310-399-0711 |
| Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
| Stake Chophouse & Bar | Coronado CA | 619-522-0077 |
| Seneca | San Diego CA | 619-588-2411 |
| Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
| InterContinental Vistal Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
| Nolita Hall | San Diego CA | 619-618-8820 |
| Viewpoint Brewing Co. | Del Mar CA | 858-205-9835 |
| De La Vina | San Diego CA | 619-990-6124 |
| Rustic Root | San Diego CA | 619-232-1747 |
| Pacific Coast Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-794-4632 |
| Estancia Adobe | San Diego CA | 858-550-1000 |
| LANA | Solana Beach CA | 602-758-2596 |
| KI's | Encinitas CA | 760-586-8289 |
| Boujiemana (La Maison) | San Diego CA | 415-710-0510 |
| The Prado at Balboa Park Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-744-3732 |
| Inn at Rancho Santa Fe (Banquet) | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
| Humphrey's | San Diego CA | 619-224-3577 |
| Pendry SD | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
| La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club | San Diego CA | 619-816-8319 |
| Brockton Villa Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-454-7393 |
| WineSellar & Brasserie | San Diego CA | 858-450-9557 |
| Dolce Pane & Vino | Del Mar CA | 858-832-1518 |
| Seven Seas Roasting Co. SB | Solana Beach CA | 619-261-7275 |
| Continental Catering Inc | La Mesa CA | 907-738-9264 |
| Paradise Point Resort BQT Kitchen | San Diego CA | 858-490-6363 |
| Bernardo Heights Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-487-4022 |
| Hotel Republic San Diego | San Diego CA | 951-756-9357 |
| Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
| California English | San Diego CA | 727-515-0362 |
| InterContinental Banquet Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
| The Guild Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-764-5108 |
| Bali Hai Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-222-1181 |
| Del Mar Country Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-5995 |
| The Cottage Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 858-454-8409 |
| Palmys | San Diego CA | 858-886-7111 |
| Cal A Vie | Vista CA | 760-945-2055 |
| Cove House | La Jolla CA | 858-999-0034 |
| Pendry SD (Provisional) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
| The Cottage La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-8408 |
| Golden Door | San Marcos CA | 760-761-4142 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Banquet | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| Giuseppe Restaurants & Fine Catering | San Diego CA | 619-436-7006 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Grill | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| insideOUT | San Diego CA | 619-888-8623 |
| Pacifica Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-792-0505 |
| The Cottage Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-775-1197 |
| Great Maple Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-255-2282 |
| US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Stone Brewing-Liberty Station | San Diego CA | 619-269-2100 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (20/20) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| Louisiana Purchase | San Diego CA | 619-255-8278 |
| Little Frenchie | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
| Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens | Escondido CA | 915-861-2297 |
| C 2 C | San Diego CA | 619-972-9345 |
| Town & Country Main Storeroom | San Diego CA | 619-291-7131 |
| Copper Kings | San Marcos CA | 323-810-1662 |
| Marriott Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-696-0234 x6051 |
| Villa Capri Poway | Poway CA | 858-391-9400 |
| Sycuan Casino | El Cajon CA | 619-445-6002 |
| The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
| RoVino Rotisserie + Wine | San Diego CA | 619-972-6286 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Micro Italian Basil. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Sunday Morning Banana Pancakes |
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Charred Rainbow Beet & Pistachio Salad |
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