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Thai Basil
Inventory, lb : 417.20
This item was last sold on : 09/21/23
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.
| Pendry SD (Lion Fish) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
| SB Kitchen | Solana Beach CA | 610-717-7217 |
| The Plot | Oceanside CA | 422-266-8200 |
| The Wild Thyme Company | San Diego CA | 858-527-0226 |
| Bellamy's Restaurant | Escondido CA | 760-747-5000 |
| Top of the Market | San Diego CA | 619-234-4867 |
| Make Stuff Good | San Diego CA | 9495479470 |
| Bar Same Same | Carlsbad CA | 760-470-9143 |
| Harvest Kitchen (Corp Lunch) | San Marcos CA | 619-709-0938 |
| La Costa Resort & Spa Main Kitchen | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-7063 |
| Bang Bang | San Diego CA | 619-382-8938 |
| Herb & Sea | Encinitas CA | 858-587-6601 |
| Toast Cafe | San Diego CA | 858-208-9422 |
| The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
| The Prado at Balboa Park Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-744-3732 |
| Sbicca | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1001 |
| The Handmade Chef Meal Prep Co. | San Diego CA | 619-368-3705 |
| Park Hyatt Aviara | Carlsbad CA | 760-448-1234 |
| Pamplemousse Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-792-9090 |
| San Diego Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-758-6334 |
| Kettner Exchange | San Diego CA | 909-915-9877 |
| Matsu | Oceanside CA | 760-717-5899 |
| Lumi (Bar) | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
| Tribute Pizza | San Diego CA | 858-220-0030 |
| Harney Sushi Oceanside | Oceanside CA | 760-967-1820 |
| Coronado Yacht Club | Coronado CA | 619-435-1848 |
| Addison Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-350-7600 |
| Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 858-208-9422 |
| Vi At La Jolla Village | San Diego CA | 858-646-7700 |
| Mabel's Gone Fishing Bar | San Diego CA | 619-228-9851 |
| Mabel's Gone Fishing | San Diego CA | 619-228-9851 |
| The Bellows | San Marcos CA | 619-395-6325 |
| Saiko Sushi-North Park | San Diego CA | 619-886-6656 |
| Artifact at Mingei | San Diego CA | 619-846-2164 |
| Farm Fresh Meals | Vista CA | 760-707-2383 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Main | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| Dija Mara 2021 | Oceanside CA | 760-231-5376 |
| Oside Kitchen Collaborative | Oceanside CA | 619-807-7161 mike |
| Harvest Kitchen | Vista CA | 619-709-0938 |
| Secret Sister | San Diego CA | 619-281-0718 |
| Mothership | San Diego CA | 858-342-3609 |
| Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
| Fishery | San Diego CA | 858-272-9985 |
| Viejas Casino | Alpine CA | 619-659-1774 |
| The Wise Ox | San Diego CA | 619-851-0672 |
| Wayfarer Bread | La Jolla CA | 805-709-0964 |
| Sovereign Thai Cuisine | San Diego CA | 619-887-2000 |
| Coast Catering | Escondido CA | 619-295-3173 |
| Hilton Harbor Island | San Diego CA | 619-291-6700 |
| Red O Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-291-8360 |
| La Costa Glen North | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1436 |
| Harney Sushi | San Diego CA | 619-295-3272 |
| Justin Hoehn | San Diego CA | 619 326 8895 |
| PureTaco | Carlsbad CA | 760-845-3346 |
| Kingfisher | San Diego CA | 619-861-8074 |
| Trust Restaurant | San Diego CA | 609-780-7572 |
| Beaumont's | San Diego CA | 858-459-0474 |
| Grass Skirt | San Diego CA | 858-412-5237 |
| Duke's La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-1999 |
| Paradisaea Restaurant | La Jolla CA | 732-915-6669 |
| La Costa Resort & Spa Vue | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-7063 |
| Marriott Courtyard - Broadway | San Diego CA | 619-446-3008 |
| Aztec Shop Catering | San Diego CA | 619 594-3576 |
| Knotty Barrel- Rancho | San Diego CA | 858-484-8758 |
| Kinme Omakase | San Diego CA | 619-231-0700 |
| Thai One On | Carlsbad CA | 760-500-8674 |
| Saiko Sushi-Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-0868 |
| Viejas Casino Ginger Noodle | Alpine CA | 702-401-0455 |
| Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
| Misadventure & Co. | Vista CA | 413-668-6895 |
| Craft and Commerce (Sekscobra Inc.) | San Diego CA | 619-962-5935 |
| Leichtag Foundation | Encinitas CA | 760-230-6772 |
| Pali Wine Company | San Diego CA | 310-893-0038 |
| Under Belly-Uptown | San Diego CA | 619-269-4626 |
| Small Barn | Temecula CA | 951-225-2822 |
| Botanica | San Diego CA | 619-310-6320 |
| Common Theory | San Diego CA | 858-384-7974 |
| Mesa Agricola | Carlsbad CA | 707-758-6650 |
| Fairmont Grand Del Mar | San Diego CA | 858-314-1975 |
| Pacific Coast Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-794-4632 |
| Chef Drew Mc Partlin | San Diego CA | 619-990-9201 |
| Craft and Commerce Bar | San Diego CA | 619-269-0288 |
| Counterpoint | San Diego CA | 619-564-6722 |
| Royal Polaris Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
| Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens | Escondido CA | 915-861-2297 |
| Juniper & Ivy | San Diego CA | 858-481-3666 |
| Animae | San Diego CA | 619-925-7908 |
| The Lion Share | San Diego CA | 619-564-6924 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| InterContinental Vistal Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
| Terra Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-293-7088 |
| La Costa Glen South | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
| Javier Plascencia | Bonita CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Books and Records | San Diego CA | 619-310-5298 |
| Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
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.
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.
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La Jolla Farmers Market
Near La Jolla, California, United StatesAbout 54 days ago, 7/30/23 Sharer's comments : Bonita Farms 
SS2 Morning Market, Petalimg Jaya, Malaysia
Near Petaling Jaya, Selangor, MalaysiaAbout 98 days ago, 6/16/23 
SS 2 Morning Market, Jalan SS2/64, SS 2, 47300 Pet
Near Petaling Jaya, Selangor, MalaysiaAbout 148 days ago, 4/27/23 
Chow Kit Market, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Near Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaAbout 172 days ago, 4/03/23 
Whole Foods Market
Whole Foods Market
Near London, United Kingdom63-97 Kensington High St, London W8 5SE, United Kingdom About 239 days ago, 1/26/23 
Leucadia Farmer's Market
Sage Hill Ranch Gardens
Near Encinitas, California, United StatesEscondido, CA About 404 days ago, 8/14/22 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 493 days ago, 5/17/22 Sharer's comments : Thai Basil from Her Produce 
Del Mar Farmers Market
Atkins Nursery
Near Del Mar, California, United States3129 Reche Rd, Fallbrook, CA 760-728-1610 About 524 days ago, 4/16/22 
Geylang Serai Market
Geylang Serai Market
Near Marina Ctr Ter, SingaporeAbout 577 days ago, 2/22/22 
Specialty Produce
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 728 days ago, 9/24/21 Sharer's comments : Thai basil from Schaner Farms |
