Produce Briefs...
Ramps
The wild ramp, AKA wild leek, botanical name Allium tricoccum, is a flowering perennial plant that grows in clusters. It is a member of the Allium family along with onions and leeks
Calamondin Limes
The Calamondin lime is a cross between a sour, loose skinned mandarin and a kumquat, therefore technically making it an orangequat.
Salanova® Lettuces
Salanova® lettuce is a full-sized variety developed for the baby lettuce market. Botanically these varieties are scientifically known as Lactuca sativa.
Description/Taste
Thai basil is a perennial herb, that grows as a small, multi-branched shrub, reaching up to a foot in height. It has narrow, arrow-shaped leaves that are about half the size of common sweet basil leaves. Thai basil has purple-tinged stems, which offer a nice contrast to the bright green leaves. The leaves are aromatic and have a strong, spicy flavor with hints of licorice. Some varieties have larger leaves, and some have a purple hue. When the plant matures, spikes of lavender and deep purple flowers grow at the tops of the burgundy stems. The flowers share the same intense spice and hint of licorice flavor.
Seasons/Availability
Thai basil is available year-round.
Current Facts
Thai basil is a cultivated Asian variety of sweet basil known for its spicier flavor and its ability to withstand high cooking temperatures. Botanically, Thai basil is classified as Ocimum basilicum var. tenuiflorum though it is sometimes known under the botanical name Ocimum thyrsiflorum. In Thailand, Thai basil is known as bai horapha. It is sometimes confused with holy basil, which has slightly fuzzy leaves with more of a clove flavor.
Nutritional Value
Thai basil has notably high levels of vitamins K and A, as well as significant amounts of vitamin C, beta-carotene, magnesium, calcium, iron, and potassium. Basil is known for its beneficial essential oil, which contains eugenol – a natural compound that has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Applications
Thai basil is a very common ingredient in the cuisines of Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. It is used to infuse flavor into broths and soups, like the traditional Phô (pronounced ‘Fuh’), and Thai green curry. The herb is added at the end of the cooking process to retain its aroma and flavor. Add Thai basil to Pad Thai noodles, meat or chicken stir-fry dishes. Use Thai basil versus the common sweet basil for a pesto with a hint of licorice flavor. Add whole leaf clusters to cocktails and beverages like lemonade, as a garnish and aromatic. Thai basil can be used in sweet applications as well, added to fruit salads or desserts made with tropical fruits like mango. Chiffonade leaves by laying individual leaves on top of one another, rolling them up together widthwise, and then slicing into thin strips. To store Thai basil, cut the ends and place in a glass of water, much like a bouquet of flowers. It can be left on the counter this way. It is recommended that Thai basil not be refrigerated, though it can be for up to a week when wrapped in plastic. Thai basil also freezes well if washed and thoroughly dried before sealing in an airtight bag or container.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Thai basil is a kitchen staple in Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, where it received its common name. It is a main ingredient in pad gra prow, a stir-fry beef dish, as well as gai pad krapow, made with chicken. It is popularly used in Taiwanese cuisine, and many stir-fry dishes where it can stand up to the high heat of the wok.
Geography/History
Thai basil is native to Southeast Asia, and it is believed to have originated in Thailand. Generally, any purple stemmed basil with a licorice flavor is considered to be ‘Thai basil’. There are a few recognized varieties, such as Queenette and Siam Queen. Thai basil is a tender plant, and does not survive in overly cold temperatures; it thrives in the humid, tropical and sub-tropical environments. Thai basil has become a well-known, popular herb with the rise of Thai and Vietnamese cuisines around the world.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Knotty Barrel- Rancho (Bar) | San Diego CA | 858-484-8758 |
| Artifact at Mingei | San Diego CA | 619-846-2164 |
| The Wise Ox | San Diego CA | 619-851-0672 |
| Juniper & Ivy Bar | San Diego CA | 858-481-3666 |
| La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
| Sbicca | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1001 |
| La Costa Glen North | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1436 |
| Cape Rey Carlsbad, a Hilton Resort | Carlsbad CA | 760-602-0800 |
| Toast Cafe | San Diego CA | 858-208-9422 |
| Bali Hai Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-222-1181 |
| Dija Mara 2021 | Oceanside CA | 760-231-5376 |
| Pendry SD (5th & Rose) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
| Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens | Escondido CA | 760-294-7866 |
| The Lion Share | San Diego CA | 619-564-6924 |
| Harney Sushi Old Town | San Diego CA | 619-295-3272 |
| Lucky Bolt | San Diego CA | 662-832-3638 |
| Duke's La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-1999 |
| Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 858-208-9422 |
| Continental Catering Inc | La Mesa CA | 907-738-9264 |
| Enclave | Miramar CA | 808-554-4219 |
| The Roxy Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 760-230-2899 |
| Loving Hut | San Diego CA | 619-855-5674 |
| Crab Hut | San Diego CA | 858-860-5225 |
| Knotty Barrel- Rancho | San Diego CA | 858-484-8758 |
| Jeune Et Jolie | Carlsbad CA | 858-231-0862 |
| Saiko Sushi-North Park | San Diego CA | 619-886-6656 |
| Miho | San Diego CA | 619-365-5655 |
| Animae | San Diego CA | 619-925-7908 |
| Morgan Run Resort and Club | Rancho Sante Fe CA | 858-756-2471 |
| Secret Sister | San Diego CA | 619-281-0718 |
| Hoxton Manor LLC | San Diego CA | 760-586-9533 |
| La Costa Glen South | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
| Addison Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-350-7600 |
| Mission Ave Bar and Grill | Oceanside CA | 760-717-5899 |
| Kingfisher | San Diego CA | 619-861-8074 |
| Fishery | San Diego CA | 858-272-9985 |
| Under Belly-Little Italy Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-269-4626 |
| Harvest Kitchen | Vista CA | 619-709-0938 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (Banquets) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
| Juniper & Ivy | San Diego CA | 858-481-3666 |
| Pendry SD (Nasons) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
| Justin Hoehn | San Diego CA | 619-326-8895 |
| Kairoa Brewing Company | San Diego CA | 858-735-0051 |
| Under Belly-Uptown | San Diego CA | 619-269-4626 |
| Neighborhood Burger | San Diego CA | 619-446-0002 |
| Common Theory | San Diego CA | 858-384-7974 |
| The Bellows | San Marcos CA | 619-395-6325 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (20/20) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| Enclave - La Jolla | San Diego CA | 808-554-4219 |
| Shoreside Support Boat | San Diego CA | 704-277-7929 |
| Farm Fresh Meals | San Diego CA | 760-707-2383 |
| Kettner Exchange | San Diego CA | 909-915-9877 |
| Misadventure & Co. | Vista CA | 413-668-6895 |
| Trust Restaurant | San Diego CA | 609-780-7572 |
| Cow by Bear | San Diego CA | 415-565-9989 |
| Death By Tequila | Encinitas CA | 760-215-2804 |
| Jeune Et Jolie Bar | Carlsbad CA | 858-231-0862 |
| The Guild Hotel | San Diego CA | 858-373-3184 |
| Coast Catering | Escondido CA | 619-295-3173 |
| Viejas Casino Ginger Noodle | Alpine CA | 702-401-0455 |
| PureTaco | Carlsbad CA | 760-845-3346 |
| Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
| Saiko Sushi-Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-0868 |
| Terra Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-293-7088 |
| International Smoke Del Mar | San Diego CA | 619-331-4528 |
| Royal Polaris Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
| Ska Bar & Restaurant | San Diego CA | 925-487-2025 |
| Alila Marea Beach Resort (Banquets) | Encinitas CA | 805-539-9719 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Thai Basil. One
is
easiest, three is harder.Recently Shared
People have shared Thai Basil using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
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Specialty Produce
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 70 days ago, 9/24/21 Sharer's comments : Thai basil from Schaner Farms 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 95 days ago, 8/30/21 
Bayview Farmer's Market
Cedar Hill Farm
Near Clinton, Washington, United StatesClinton, WA About 97 days ago, 8/28/21 
Huntington Park Farmers Market
Gourmet Specialty Farm
Near Bell, California, United StatesVentura, CA About 170 days ago, 6/16/21 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Coleman Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 181 days ago, 6/05/21 Sharer's comments : Thai Basil from Coleman Family Farms 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 232 days ago, 4/15/21 Sharer's comments : Thai Basil from Fresno Evergreens 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Her Produce
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 240 days ago, 4/07/21 |
