Thai Basil

Inventory, lb : 95.08
This item was last sold on : 03/22/23

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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.

SB Kitchen	Solana Beach CA	610-717-7217
San Diego Yacht Club	San Diego CA	619-758-6334
Vino Carta Solana Beach	Encinitas CA	858-353-2815
Birds Eye (Prep Kitchen)	San Diego CA	619-780-0974
The Compass	Carlsbad CA	760-434-1900
Smoke and Salt	Encinitas CA	760-815-9827
Saiko Sushi-North Park	San Diego CA	619-886-6656
Herb & Sea	Encinitas CA	858-587-6601
Harney Sushi	San Diego CA	619-295-3272
Bali Hai Restaurant	San Diego CA	619-222-1181
PureTaco	Carlsbad CA	760-845-3346
The Plot	Oceanside CA	422-266-8200
Botanica	San Diego CA	619-310-6320
Thai One On	Carlsbad CA	760-500-8674
Carte Hotel	San Diego CA	619-365-1858
Humphery's	San Diego CA	619-224-3577
Urban Kitchen Catering	San Diego CA	619-276-8803
Georges at the Cove	San Diego CA	858-454-4244
Inn at Rancho Santa Fe	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-381-8289
Harvest Kitchen	Vista CA	619-709-0938

the other 60...

Duke's La Jolla	La Jolla CA	858-454-1999
Royal Polaris Sportfishing	San Diego CA	619-226-8030
Knotty Barrel- Rancho	San Diego CA	858-484-8758
Lumi	San Diego CA	619-955-5750
The Guild Bar	San Diego CA	619-573-0289
The Glen at Scripps Ranch	San Diego CA	858-444-8500
Animae	San Diego CA	619-925-7908
Top of the Market	San Diego CA	619-234-4867
Pendry SD (Lion Fish)	San Diego CA	619-738-7000
Stone Brewing-Liberty Station	San Diego CA	619-269-2100
Clara Carlsbad	Carlsbad CA	760-470-9143
Toast Catering	San Diego CA	858-208-9422
Artifact at Mingei	San Diego CA	619-846-2164
Addison Del Mar	Del Mar CA	858-350-7600
Trust Restaurant	San Diego CA	609-780-7572
Under Belly-Uptown	San Diego CA	619-269-4626
Naegi	Oceanside CA	760-717-5899
Ska Bar & Restaurant	San Diego CA	925-487-2025
Mak Mak Organics	Oceanside CA	858-740-4217
InterContinental Vistal Kitchen	San Diego CA	619-501-9400
The Wise Ox	San Diego CA	619-851-0672
Javier Plascencia	Bonita CA	619-295-3172
Sheraton Carlsbad (Banquets)	Carlsbad CA	760-827-2400
Matsu	Oceanside CA	760-717-5899
Kettner Exchange	San Diego CA	909-915-9877
SIE Culinary Management	San Diego CA	858-964-8677
Craft and Commerce Bar	San Diego CA	619-269-0288
Sbicca	Del Mar CA	858-481-1001
La Costa Resort & Spa Main Kitchen	Carlsbad CA	760-930-7063
Loving Hut	San Diego CA	619-855-5674
Dija Mara 2021	Oceanside CA	760-231-5376
The Bier Garden	Encinitas CA	760-632-2437
Hoxton Manor LLC	San Diego CA	760-586-9533
The Bellows	San Marcos CA	619-395-6325
Farmer and The Seahorse	San Diego CA	619-302-3682
Mabel's Gone Fishing	San Diego CA	619-228-9851
Fort Oak	San Diego CA	619-795-6901
Hilton Harbor Island	San Diego CA	619-291-6700
Alila Marea Beach Resort (Banquets)	Encinitas CA	805-539-9719
Animae (Bar)	San Diego CA	619-925-7908
Lauberge Del Mar	Del Mar CA	858-259-1515
Viejas Casino Ginger Noodle	Alpine CA	702-401-0455
Huntress (Bar)	San Diego CA	619-955-5750
Coast Catering	Escondido CA	619-295-3173
Mille Fleurs	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-756-3085
Park Commons - ARE	San Diego CA	619-295-3172
Misadventure & Co.	Vista CA	413-668-6895
Cody's La Jolla	La Jolla CA	858-459-0040
Secret Sister	San Diego CA	619-281-0718
Lime in the Coconut	Chula Vista CA	619-820-0961
Saiko Sushi-Coronado	Coronado CA	619-435-0868
Park Hyatt Aviara	Carlsbad CA	760-448-1234
Kingfisher	San Diego CA	619-861-8074
Nolita Hall - Bar	San Diego CA	619-618-8820
Paradisaea Restaurant	La Jolla CA	732-915-6669
Toast Cafe	San Diego CA	858-208-9422
Lodge at Torrey Pines Main	San Diego CA	858-453-4420
Common Theory	San Diego CA	858-384-7974
Fifty Two Remedies Bar	San Diego CA	858-707-7016
Kitchens For Good	San Diego CA	619-450-4040

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include Thai Basil. One

is easiest, three is harder.

Delicious Obsessions		Fermented Thai Basil "Pesto"
Sippity Sup		Pear Lemonade with Thai Basil
The Woks Of Life		Thai Basil Pesto Pasta with Spicy Shrimp
Gimme Some Oven		Thai Basil Chicken
The Woks Of Life		Eggplant with Thai Basil & Chicken
The Kitchn		Coconut and Thai Basil Ice Cream
Food Network		Thai Basil Tofu Lettuce Cups
Jam's Thai Food and Cooking Blog		Thai Basil Fried Rice
Slender Kitchen		Thai Basil Ground Beef Bowl
Flying on Jess Fuel		Thai Basil Pesto

the other 8...

The Healthy Maven		Thai Salmon Salad
How To Feed A Loon		Stir-Fry Chicken With Broccoli And Mushrooms
One Green Planet		Stir Fried Thai Basil with Tofu and Eggplant
Picture The Recipe		Thai Basil Chicken Phyllo Rolls
Cuesa		Sharlyn Melon with Boccalone Lardo and Torn Basils
Honestly Yum		Buddha's Hand and Thai Basil Cocktail
The Woks Of Life		Thai Basil Beef (pad gra prow)
Wine and Glue		Thai Basil Fried Rice

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