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Thai Basil

Inventory, lb : 35.96
This item was last sold on : 05/15/22

• 74 Featured Restaurants

• 17 Recipe Ideas

• 9 Sharess

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.

Kairoa Brewing Company	San Diego CA	858-735-0051
Jeune Et Jolie Bar	Carlsbad CA	858-231-0862
Culinary Concepts	San Diego CA	858-518-0148
Viejas Casino Ginger Noodle	Alpine CA	702-401-0455
Under Belly-Uptown	San Diego CA	619-269-4626
Hoxton Manor LLC	San Diego CA	760-586-9533
Communal Coffee - Oceanside	Oceanside CA	619-920-7887
Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-759-6063
Ska Bar & Restaurant	San Diego CA	925-487-2025
Kingfisher	San Diego CA	619-861-8074
Lauberge Del Mar	Del Mar CA	858-259-1515
Ballast Point Restaurant - Miramar	San Diego CA	858-790-6900
Kettner Exchange Bar	San Diego CA	909-915-9877
Common Theory	San Diego CA	858-384-7974
The Compass Bar	Carlsbad CA	760-434-1900
Hoover High School	San Diego CA	619-549-3364
Pendry SD	San Diego CA	619-738-7000
Sheraton Carlsbad (Banquets)	Carlsbad CA	760-827-2400
Duke's La Jolla	La Jolla CA	858-454-1999
Addison Del Mar	Del Mar CA	858-350-7600

the other 54...

The Bellows	San Marcos CA	619-395-6325
Fish Market Downtown	San Diego CA	619-232-3474
The Compass	Carlsbad CA	760-434-1900
Loving Hut	San Diego CA	619-855-5674
The Switchboard Restaurant and Bar	Oceanside CA	442-266-2781
Marriott Courtyard Old Town	San Diego CA	619-260-8500
Javier Plascencia	Bonita CA	619-295-3172
Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens	Escondido CA	760-294-7866
Artifact at Mingei	San Diego CA	619-846-2164
On the Crawl Concepts-Inland Tavern	San Marcos CA	760-744-8782
Jake's Del Mar	Del Mar CA	858-755-2002
Saiko Sushi-Coronado	Coronado CA	619-435-0868
Enclave - La Jolla	San Diego CA	808-554-4219
The Wise Ox	San Diego CA	619-851-0672
Communal Coffee	San Diego CA	619-305-9525
Sushi Nekosan	La Jolla CA	858-999-0999
Harney Sushi Old Town	San Diego CA	619-295-3272
Sovereign Thai Cuisine	San Diego CA	619-887-2000
Farm Fresh Meals	San Diego CA	760-707-2383
Toast Catering	San Diego CA	858-208-9422
Huntress	San Diego CA	619-955-5750
The Monsaraz	San Diego CA	858-760-6228
Alila Marea Beach Resort	Encinitas CA	805-539-9719
Rancho Valencia	Del Mar CA	858-756-1123
Top of the Market	San Diego CA	619-234-4867
Trust Restaurant	San Diego CA	609-780-7572
Thai One On	Carlsbad CA	760-500-8674
Fifty Two Remedies Bar	San Diego CA	858-707-7016
Kitchens For Good	San Diego CA	619-450-4040
Pendry SD (5th & Rose)	San Diego CA	619-738-7000
Coast Catering	Escondido CA	619-295-3173
The Flavor Chef (Catering)	Vista CA	619-295-3172
Kettner Exchange	San Diego CA	909-915-9877
Cow by Bear	San Diego CA	415-565-9989
Secret Sister	San Diego CA	619-281-0718
Verbena Kitchen LLC	San Diego CA	609-458-1672
Fish Market Solana Beach	Solana Beach CA	858-755-2277
Hive Sushi Lounge	San Diego CA	619-218-4000
The Roxy Encinitas	Encinitas CA	760-230-2899
Grass Skirt	San Diego CA	858-412-5237
Maple Blue	San Diego CA	860-733-5126
Tahona (Kitchen)	San Diego CA	619-573-0289
Nolita Hall - Bar	San Diego CA	619-618-8820
Mission Ave Bar and Grill	Oceanside CA	760-717-5899
Royal Polaris Sportfishing	San Diego CA	619-226-8030
Misadventure & Co.	Vista CA	413-668-6895
The Lion Share	San Diego CA	619-564-6924
Food of Joy	San Diego CA	858-531-6616
Animae	San Diego CA	619-925-7908
Harvest Kitchen	Vista CA	619-709-0938
Bali Hai Restaurant	San Diego CA	619-222-1181
Enclave	Miramar CA	808-554-4219
Saiko Sushi-North Park	San Diego CA	619-886-6656
Morgan Run Resort and Club	Rancho Sante Fe CA	858-759-5473

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include Thai Basil. One

is easiest, three is harder.

Food Network		Thai Basil Tofu Lettuce Cups
The Healthy Maven		Thai Salmon Salad
Delicious Obsessions		Fermented Thai Basil "Pesto"
The Kitchn		Coconut and Thai Basil Ice Cream
Honestly Yum		Buddha's Hand and Thai Basil Cocktail
Cuesa		Sharlyn Melon with Boccalone Lardo and Torn Basils
Picture The Recipe		Thai Basil Chicken Phyllo Rolls
Sippity Sup		Pear Lemonade with Thai Basil
Wine and Glue		Thai Basil Fried Rice
The Woks Of Life		Thai Basil Pesto Pasta with Spicy Shrimp

the other 7...

Jam's Thai Food and Cooking Blog		Thai Basil Fried Rice
Flying on Jess Fuel		Thai Basil Pesto
The Woks Of Life		Thai Basil Beef (pad gra prow)
One Green Planet		Stir Fried Thai Basil with Tofu and Eggplant
Gimme Some Oven		Thai Basil Chicken
How To Feed A Loon		Stir-Fry Chicken With Broccoli And Mushrooms
Slender Kitchen		Thai Basil Ground Beef Bowl

Recently Shared

People have shared Thai Basil using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.

Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.