Micro Italian Basil

Inventory, 4 oz : 30.00
This item was last sold on : 05/26/23

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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.

French Chef at Home	San Diego CA	619-432-8051
Pacific Terrace Hotel	San Diego CA	858-581-3500
Sycuan Casino	El Cajon CA	619-445-6002
Sbicca	Del Mar CA	858-481-1001
Verbena Kitchen LLC	San Diego CA	609-458-1672
Bellamy's Restaurant	Escondido CA	760-747-5000
The Monsaraz	San Diego CA	858-760-6228
Belmont Park Draft	San Diego CA	858-228-9283
Glenbrook Health Center	Carlsbad CA	760-704-1000
Not Not Tacos	San Diego CA	619-696-7675
Madison	San Diego CA	619-822-3465
Luce	San Diego CA	619-275-2094
Inn at Rancho Santa Fe	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-381-8289
Sugar Bear Enterprises	San Diego CA	925-383-3623
Seneca	San Diego CA	619-588-2411
Park Hyatt Aviara (Ember & Rye)	Carlsbad CA	760-448-1234
Noble House Hotels & Resorts	San Diego CA	619-276-4010
Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens Banquets	Escondido CA	760-294-7866
Burgeon Beer Co.	San Diego CA	760-814-2548
La Costa Glen South	Carlsbad CA	760-704-1000

the other 59...

Stone Brewing-Liberty Station	San Diego CA	619-269-2100
Seven Seas Roasting Co.	San Diego CA	619-261-7275
Dolce Pane & Vino	Del Mar CA	858-832-1518
Del Mar Country Club	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-759-5500 x207
Hotel Palomar-Salt Box Banquets	San Diego CA	619-515-3003
The Flavor Chef (Catering)	Vista CA	619-295-3172
Southwestern Yacht Club	San Diego CA	619-222-0438
Garbatella Osteria Bar	Chula Vista CA	619-651-1185
Madam Bonnies	San Diego CA	619-432-1383
The Compass	Carlsbad CA	760-434-1900
Lodge at Torrey Pines Grill	San Diego CA	858-453-4420
InterContinental Vistal Kitchen	San Diego CA	619-501-9400
The Farm Golf Club	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-756-5585
Park Commons - ARE	San Diego CA	619-295-3172
Alila Marea Beach Resort	Encinitas CA	805-539-9719
Polaris Supreme	San Diego CA	619-390-7890
Humphery's	San Diego CA	619-224-3577
Saint Mark Golf and Resort, LLC	San Marcos CA	508-320-6644
Lodge at Torrey Pines Main	San Diego CA	858-453-4420
Park Hyatt Aviara	Carlsbad CA	760-448-1234
Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-759-6063
Javier Plascencia	Bonita CA	619-295-3172
Hilton Del Mar	Del Mar CA	858-792-5200 x4234
Palmys	San Diego CA	858-886-7111
Shogun Sportfishing	San Diego CA	619-226-8030
Rustic Root	San Diego CA	619-232-1747
Birds Eye (Prep Kitchen)	San Diego CA	619-780-0974
Black Radish	San Diego CA	619-775-7412
KI's	Encinitas CA	760-586-8289
Salt & Whiskey	San Diego CA	619-544-1886
The Santaluz Club Inc - Banquet	San Diego CA	858-759-3150
Bistro du Marche by Tapenade	La Jolla CA	858-551-7500
Paradise Point Resort BQT Kitchen	San Diego CA	858-490-6363
Kona Kai Resort and Marina	San Diego CA	619-221-8000
Pendry SD (Provisional)	San Diego CA	619-738-7000
Toast Catering	San Diego CA	858-208-9422
Birds Eye (La Jolla)	La Jolla CA	513-549-0974
Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-756-1582
Crown Point Catering	San Diego CA	619-223-1211
Paradisaea Restaurant	La Jolla CA	732-915-6669
Monarch	Del Mar CA	619-308-6500
Fairmont Grand Del Mar	San Diego CA	858-314-1975
The Privateer Coal Fire Pizza	Oceanside CA	760-310-1535
Giuseppe Restaurants & Fine Catering	San Diego CA	619-838-8268
Pacific Coast Grill	Solana Beach CA	858-794-4632
The Guild Kitchen	San Diego CA	619-573-0289
Nolita Hall- CxB	San Diego CA	619-618-8820
Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens	Escondido CA	915-861-2297
Marriott Gaslamp	San Diego CA	619-696-0234 x6051
Barrel & Board	San Diego CA	619-379-2574
264 Fresco (Kitchen)	Carlsbad CA	760-720-3737
Brockton Villa Restaurant	San Diego CA	858-454-7393
Poseidon on the Beach	Del Mar CA	858-755-9345
Graze	San Diego CA	619-839-9852
Great Maple Hillcrest	San Diego CA	619-255-2282
The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining	San Diego CA	858-759-3150
Jeune Et Jolie	Carlsbad CA	858-231-0862
619 Spirits	San Diego CA	509-701-9534
Vista Valley	Vista CA	760-758-2800

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include Micro Italian Basil. One

is easiest, three is harder.

Crowded Kitchen		Wild Mushroom Toast
Rice and Beans Belizan Food Blog		Cherry Tomatoes with Micro-Basil and Goat Cheese
Vegetarian Ventures		Mini Strawberry Chocolate Tarts with Whipped Goat Cheese and Micro Basil
Stirring Stew		Tomato and Mozzarella Salad with Microgreens
Dash of Savory		Seared Scallops with Cream Basil Pesto
The View from Great Island		Micro Caprese Salad
A Food Centric Life		Avocado Toast with Tomatoes
Goop		Pea Shoot Pesto with Lemon Ricotta on Toast
Sunday Morning Banana Pancakes		Charred Rainbow Beet & Pistachio Salad
Delish		Zucchini Fritters with Fresh Buffalo Mozzarella, Stewed Grape Tomatoes, and Micro Basil

the other 1...

Hip Foodie Mom

Roasted Vegetables

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