Produce Briefs...
Calamondin Limes
The Calamondin lime, scientific name, X Citrofortunella mitis & Citrus microcarpa, is also known as the lime orange, Chinese orange or Calamondin orange.
Salanova® Lettuces
Salanova® lettuce is a full-sized variety developed for the baby lettuce market. Botanically these varieties are scientifically known as Lactuca sativa.
Pinkglow™ Pineapple
Pinkglow™ pineapples are small to medium fruits with an oval to cylindrical shape.
Micro Italian Basil
Inventory, 4 oz : 25.00
This item was last sold on : 05/22/22
Description/Taste
Micro Italian basil is very small in size, averaging 5-7 centimeters in height, and has 2-4 bright green leaves that are connected to a pale green stem. The first set of leaves to open, or the cotyledons, have a smooth texture and a rounded spade-shape, while the second pair, or the true leaves, are more oval and resemble a tiny version of mature basil. Micro Italian basil is crisp, tender, and aromatic with a green, subtle clove-like flavor that is followed by a sweet finish with notes of citrus, pepper, and mild anise.
Seasons/Availability
Micro Italian Basil is available year-round.
Current Facts
Micro Italian basil is the young, tiny, edible version of one of the most commonly grown herbs and is harvested 14-25 days after sowing. Prized for its pungent yet classic sweet and spicy flavor, Micro Italian basil is predominately used as a garnish on a variety of culinary dishes to add an extra layer of flavor, texture, and aesthetic appeal.
Nutritional Value
Micro Italian basil contains some vitamins A, B6, C, E, and K, calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, copper, magnesium, and potassium.
Applications
Micro Italian basil greens are best suited for raw applications as their delicate nature cannot withstand high heat. The mild and sweet characteristics of Micro Italian basil make it ideal for incorporating into both savory and sweet applications. They can be used as a garnish on pasta, pizza, quiche, soups, green salads, and fruit salads. They can also add flavor to lemonade and fruity cocktails like mojitos, gimlets, or martinis or be combined into dips, dressing, and sauces. Much like mature basil, Micro Italian basil works well with many classic pairings including tomatoes, garlic, onion, corn, and mozzarella cheese, and also pairs well with blueberries, strawberries, apricot, pineapple, nectarines, peaches, watermelon, vanilla, lemon verbena, coconut, honey, ginger, cinnamon, and white chocolate. Micro Italian basil will keep 5-7 days when stored unwashed, in a sealed container, and in the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Microgreens have recently become a favorite edible garnish for chefs in fine dining restaurants because of their ease of use and increased aesthetic appeal. Consumers today are more aware of the visual presentation of a dish due to social media and the sharing of food photos. With this awareness, restaurants are finding new ways to create unique looking dishes to be promoted over these platforms. Microgreens are also packed with nutrients and provide the consumer with fresh, green flavors year-round without laborious preparation.
Geography/History
Basil is native to India and was introduced to the Mediterranean and Asia via trade routes and immigrants during ancient times. It was then brought to the New World in 1621 with colonists and early settlers. Micro Italian basil was one of the first microgreens produced and became popular in the 1980s-1990s when fine dining restaurants began adding them as a garnish to dishes. Today Micro Italian basil is available through select distributors and at specialty grocers in the United States, Europe, and Asia.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Mr A's Pastry | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
| Kairoa Brewing Company | San Diego CA | 858-735-0051 |
| Salt & Whiskey | San Diego CA | 619-214-9519 |
| Mission Bay Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 858-488-0501 x14 |
| The Shout House | San Diego CA | 619-231-6700 |
| Barbarella La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-7373 |
| Sugar and Scribe | La Jolla CA | 858-274-1733 |
| Et Voilà! French Bistro | San Diego CA | 858-610-8784 |
| US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Coronado Yacht Club | Coronado CA | 619-435-1848 |
| La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
| Communal Coffee | San Diego CA | 619-305-9525 |
| Hill Top Winery | Valley Center CA | 858-405-9314 |
| 264 Fresco (Kitchen) | Carlsbad CA | 760-720-3737 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Grill | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| Relic Bageri LLC | San Diego CA | 619-335-6328 |
| Monarch | Del Mar CA | 619-308-6500 |
| The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Convention Center Shell | San Diego CA | 619-954-3063 |
| Carte Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-365-1858 |
| The Seabird Resort | Oceanside CA | 951-704-9703 |
| Continental Catering Inc | La Mesa CA | 907-738-9264 |
| Black Radish | San Diego CA | 619-775-7412 |
| Pacific Terrace Hotel | San Diego CA | 858-581-3500 |
| Cove House | La Jolla CA | 858-999-0034 |
| Pacific Coast Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-794-4632 |
| Madison | San Diego CA | 619-822-3465 |
| Graze | San Diego CA | 619-839-9852 |
| The Guild Hotel | San Diego CA | 858-373-3184 |
| Starlite Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-358-9766 |
| Joya Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-255-5979 |
| Brigantine Escondido | Escondido CA | 760-743-4718 |
| Great Maple Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-255-2282 |
| Marriott Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-696-0234 x6051 |
| The Lion Share | San Diego CA | 619-564-6924 |
| Huntress | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
| Bahia Resort Hotel | San Diego CA | 858-488-0551 |
| The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
| West Brew-Downtown | San Diego CA | 619-726-6567 |
| Pitchers | San Diego CA | 858-472-1251 |
| Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
| Lafayette Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-296-2101 |
| Hotel Palomar-Salt Box Front Desk | San Diego CA | 619-515-3003 |
| Polaris Supreme | San Diego CA | 619-390-7890 |
| Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Main | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-7126 |
| Yummy Sushi | Coronado CA | 619-435-2771 |
| Sets Kitchen and Bar | San Marcos CA | 970-390-2148 |
| InterContinental Vistal Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
| KI's | Encinitas CA | 760-586-8289 |
| Vineyard Gourmet Catering | Temecula CA | 951-858-1585 |
| San Diego Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-758-6334 |
| Ballast Point Restaurant - Little Italy | San Diego CA | 619-298-2337 |
| Rustic Root | San Diego CA | 619-232-1747 |
| Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens | Escondido CA | 760-294-7866 |
| Miho | San Diego CA | 619-365-5655 |
| The Joint | San Diego CA | 619-222-8272 |
| InterContinental Banquet Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
| Dolce Pane & Vino | Del Mar CA | 858-832-1518 |
| Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
| Saint Mark Golf and Resort, LLC | San Marcos CA | 508-320-6644 |
| Farmer and The Seahorse 2020 | San Diego CA | 619-302-3682 |
| Barrel & Board | San Diego CA | 619-379-2574 |
| The Privateer Coal Fire Pizza | Oceanside CA | 760-310-1535 |
| Sushi Exchange | San Diego CA | 619-961-7218 |
| Salvatore's | San Diego CA | 619-544-1865 |
| 264 Fresco (Deck Kitchen) | Carlsbad CA | 760-720-3737 |
| Stone Brewing-Liberty Station | San Diego CA | 619-269-2100 |
| Don Pietro | San Diego CA | 619-255-7205 |
| Wheat & Water | La Jolla CA | 858-291-8690 |
| Sycuan Casino | El Cajon CA | 619-445-6002 |
| Villa Capri Poway | Poway CA | 858-391-9400 |
| Del Mar Country Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-5500 x207 |
| Pendry SD (Provisional) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Micro Italian Basil. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Vegetarian Ventures |
|
Mini Strawberry Chocolate Tarts with Whipped Goat Cheese and Micro Basil |
