Thai Basil
Estimated Inventory, lb : 45.81
This item was last sold on : 04/22/25
Description/Taste
Thai Basil is a perennial herb that grows to an average of 30 to 45 centimeters in height and spreads about 30 centimeters wide. The narrow, bright-green leaves have serrated edges and are typically smaller and sturdier than those of common sweet basil. They also boast a fresh and spicy fragrance and sometimes have a slight purple tint. When the plant matures, spikes of lavender to dark-violet flowers grow at the tops of the reddish-purple stems. Thai Basil leaves, flowers, and stems are all edible and offer a bold flavor with spicy-sweet notes of anise and black licorice.
Seasons/Availability
Thai Basil is available year-round.
Current Facts
Thai Basil is botanically classified as Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora and is a member of the mint family. It’s not just a single plant but rather one of three common groupings of basil cultivars: Thai, sweet, and holy basil. Thai Basil plants are cultivated Asian varieties of sweet basil known for their spicier flavor and ability to withstand high cooking temperatures. While many types of Thai Basil are grown worldwide, the most popularly cultivated is Siam Queen, known for its larger leaves and distinct black licorice flavor. Despite belonging to separate species, Thai Basil is often mistaken for holy basil, also referred to as Thai holy basil. Thai Basil offers a more robust, sweet yet spicy anise-like flavor, while holy basil has a more peppery clove-like taste. Another case of mistaken identity stems from the flavor of Thai Basil, which has led to the nickname Licorice Basil. However, that’s not to be conflated with a variety called licorice or Persian basil, a type of sweet basil with a similar licorice-like flavor.
Nutritional Value
Thai Basil has notably high levels of vitamin A, which is beneficial for healthy eyes and skin, and vitamin K, which promotes bone health. It also offers significant amounts of vitamin C, magnesium, calcium, iron, and potassium. The seeds are edible, and they pack a nutritional punch of magnesium, calcium, and fiber. Basil is known for its essential oil, which includes compounds like eugenol and limonene that possess antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.
Applications
Thai Basil is most often used fresh or cooked and is a popular ingredient in Southeast Asian cuisines like Thai, Cambodian, Lao, and Vietnamese. Unlike sweet basil, Thai Basil has sturdy and resilient leaves that stand up to prolonged heat and cooking. Hence, it's well-suited for infusing flavor into broths and soups, from traditional Vietnamese Pho to Thai green or Panang curries. While sweet basil may be used as a substitute in some recipes, Thai Basil is worth seeking out for more traditional dishes that highlight the spicy flavor and sturdy texture, such as Vietnamese spring rolls. Vice versa, Thai Basil may be used in place of common sweet basil to impart a bolder herb flavor with a licorice kick. Thai Basil works equally well in simmered dishes, like Taiwanese braised eggplant, high-heat wok stir-fries, and noodle dishes like pad Thai. It pairs well with chicken, beef, shrimp, tofu, eggplant, potato, bell pepper, tomato, eggs, rice, garlic, chili, oregano, mint, lemongrass, and coconut milk. Fresh Thai Basil leaves can even be used as a garnish and aromatic in cocktails and beverages like lemonade or used in sweet applications like fruit salads, pairing well with mango, pineapple, watermelon, lemon, figs, and stone fruit. As all parts of the plant are edible, try adding the flowers to salads, chopping the stems into rice, or soaking the seeds, similar to chia seeds, to use in pudding, smoothies, or desserts. Store fresh Thai Basil in a glass of water at room temperature after cutting the ends of the stems, like you would a bouquet of flowers, or wrap in a paper cloth and stored in a bag in the refrigerator for a week or two. Thai Basil can also be dried or frozen to prolong its use.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Thai Basil is a kitchen staple in Southeast Asian countries like Thailand and Vietnam, where it is often regarded as a vegetable rather than simply an herb or garnish. In Thailand, Thai Basil is called Bai Horapa, and in Vietnam, it is known as Rau Hung Que, which translates as “cinnamon mint.” Thai Basil stars in pad gra prow, a Thai stir-fry beef dish, and gai pad nam prik pao, a famous Thai dish made with chicken and roasted chili paste. Thai Basil is also often served with larb, a minced meat salad that’s one of the most popular dishes of Laos.
Geography/History
Thai Basil is native to Southeast Asia, though its exact origin is somewhat debated since its history of cultivation dates back approximately 5,000 years. Many believe that it originated in either India or Asia and spread to the Mediterranean via ancient spice routes, however some experts now think it might originally have come from Iran. Today, basil is commonly grown in Italy, France, Egypt, Morocco, California, and other warm climates worldwide. Thai Basil can be grown at home or found at specialty stores and Asian markets.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Espadin | Temecula California | 951-383-5585 |
| Counterpoint | San Diego CA | 619-564-6722 |
| Full Circle Ghee | San Diego CA | 858-204-0577 |
| Coral Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-449-6679 |
| The Wise Ox | San Diego CA | 619-851-0672 |
| Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1582 |
| The Switchboard Restaurant 2024 | Oceanside CA | 760-279-6300 |
| Taproom Collective | San Diego CA | 760-518-4242 |
| Pendry SD (Lion Fish) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
| Coast Catering | Escondido CA | 619-295-3173 |
| The Roxy Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 760-230-2899 |
| Humphrey's | San Diego CA | 619-224-3577 |
| Blue Water Estate Services | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-720-9831 |
| Gravity Heights Restaurant and Brewery | San Diego CA | 858-551-5105 |
| Farm Fresh Meals | Vista CA | 760-707-2383 |
| Campfire | Carlsbad CA | 760-637-5121 |
| Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
| The Shores | La Jolla CA | 858-459-8271 |
| Common Theory | San Diego CA | 858-384-7974 |
| Starlite Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-358-9766 |
| Herb & Wood Bar | San Diego CA | 619-955-8495 |
| UCSD Health East campus | San Diego CA | 619-578-3373 |
| Lilo | Carlsbad CA | 619-385-0914 |
| Dija Mara | Oceanside CA | 760-231-5376 |
| Bar Same Same (Bar) | Carlsbad CA | 760-470-9143 |
| Campfire Bar | Carlsbad CA | 858-231-0862 |
| Animae | San Diego CA | 619-925-7908 |
| Brine Time | El Cajon California | 619-495-1493 |
| Fishery | San Diego CA | 858-272-9985 |
| Make Stuff Good | San Diego CA | 949-547-9470 |
| PureTaco | Carlsbad CA | 760-845-3346 |
| The Kitchen at MCASD | La Jolla CA | 619-894-2051 |
| Sago | Encinitas CA | 858-382-4047 |
| Solana Beach Kitchen | Solana Beach CA | 610-717-7217 |
| AKA | San Diego CA | 619-595-1450 |
| Marine Group Global Services LLC | San Diego CA | 619-972-9345 |
| Viejas Casino Ginger Noodle | Alpine CA | 702-401-0455 |
| Choi's | San Diego CA | 858-900-1224 |
| Botanica | San Diego CA | 619-310-6320 |
| Thai One On | Carlsbad CA | 760-500-8674 |
| Ciccia Osteria | San Diego CA | 619-674-4069 |
| Kingfisher | San Diego CA | 619-861-8074 |
| Secret Sister | San Diego CA | 619-281-0718 |
| Coco Maya by Miss Bs - Bar | San Diego CA | 858-245-3780 |
| Pacific Coast Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-794-4632 |
| Terra Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-293-7088 |
| Beaumont's | San Diego CA | 858-459-0474 |
| Hotel La Jolla - Sea & Sky | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0261 |
| Fairmont Grand Del Mar | San Diego CA | 858-314-1975 |
| Plant Based Meals | San Diego CA | 858-255-0590 |
| Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 619-795-9135 |
| Saiko Sushi-Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-0868 |
| Pali Wine Company | San Diego CA | 310-893-0038 |
| Misadventure & Co. | Vista CA | 413-668-6895 |
| Sago (Bar) | Encinitas CA | 858-382-4047 |
| Sovereign Thai Cuisine | San Diego CA | 619-887-2000 |
| Wormwood (Bar) | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
| Bishop School | San Diego CA | 858-459-4021 |
| Lumi | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
| Animae (Bar) | San Diego CA | 619-925-7908 |
| Birdseye Rooftop | San Diego CA | 619-206-7220 |
| Jeune Et Jolie | Carlsbad CA | 858-231-0862 |
| Captains Quarters | San Diego CA | 858-412-5237 |
| Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
| Rosewood Social | San Juan Capistrano CA | 669-243-8403 |
| Addison Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-350-7600 |
| Tahona (Kitchen) | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
| Common Theory Chula Vista | Chula Vista CA | 619-495-3689 |
| Moxy San Diego Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-376-1850 |
| Kettner Exchange | San Diego CA | 909-915-9877 |
| Trust Restaurant | San Diego CA | 609-780-7572 |
| Toast Cafe | San Diego CA | 858-208-9422 |
| Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
| Crudo Cevicheria & Oyster Bar | San Diego CA | 619-313-9127 |
| Nolita Hall - Bar | San Diego CA | 619-618-8820 |
| Roppongi IB | Imperial Beach CA | 858-456-8018 |
| SIE Culinary Management | San Diego CA | 858-964-8677 |
| Wormwood | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
| Park Hyatt Aviara (Ember & Rye) | Carlsbad CA | 760-448-1234 |
| Under Belly-Uptown | San Diego CA | 619-269-4626 |
| La Costa Resort & Spa Main Kitchen | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-7063 |
| Gravity Heights Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-384-5993 |
| Nobu | San Diego CA | 619-814-4124 |
| Grass Skirt (Bar) | San Diego CA | 858-412-5237 |
| Bar Same Same (Kitchen) | Carlsbad CA | 760-470-9143 |
| The Bower | Coronado CA | 619-606-8424 |
| Kettner Exchange Bar | San Diego CA | 909-915-9877 |
| Yoann Taboyan, Personal Chef | San Diego CA | 347-277-1958 |
| Golden Door Bakery | San Marcos CA | 760-761-4142 |
| Kitchens For Good | San Diego CA | 619-450-4040 |
| Lucky Bolt | San Diego CA | 662-832-3638 |
| Wildflour | San Diego CA | 619-289-9240 |
| Far Corner | San Diego CA | 6195490838 |
| The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Fifty Two Remedies Bar | San Diego CA | 858-707-7016 |
| Comma | San Diego CA | 619-802-9183 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Thai Basil. One
is easiest, three is harder.
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