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Micro Italian Basil
Inventory, 4 oz : -8.00
This item was last sold on : 01/26/23
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.
| Herb & Sea | Encinitas CA | 858-587-6601 |
| Bellamy's Restaurant | Escondido CA | 760-747-5000 |
| The Spot 2021 | La Jolla CA | 958-459-0800 |
| Humphery's | San Diego CA | 619-224-3577 |
| Cucina Sorella | San Diego CA | 858-232-7808 |
| La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-7126 |
| Parq Restaurant and Nightclub | San Diego CA | 619-727-6789 |
| Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens | Escondido CA | 915-861-2297 |
| Alila Marea Beach Resort | Encinitas CA | 805-539-9719 |
| Villa Capri Poway | Poway CA | 858-391-9400 |
| InterContinental Vistal Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
| Stone Brewing-Liberty Station | San Diego CA | 619-269-2100 |
| Wheat & Water | La Jolla CA | 858-291-8690 |
| French Chef at Home | San Diego CA | 619-432-8051 |
| Glenbrook Health Center | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
| Marriott Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-696-0234 x6051 |
| La Costa Resort & Spa Main Kitchen | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-7063 |
| Beach Plum Kitchen | Carlsbad CA | 760-688-8682 |
| Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
| Birds Eye (Prep Kitchen) | San Diego CA | 619-780-0974 |
| InterContinental Banquet Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
| Cutwater Spirits | San Diego CA | 619-672-3848 |
| Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
| Great Maple Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-255-2282 |
| Jake's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-2002 |
| Royal Polaris Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
| Birds Eye (La Jolla) | La Jolla CA | 513-549-0974 |
| KI's | Encinitas CA | 760-586-8289 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Main | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| Hotel Palomar-Salt Box Banquets | San Diego CA | 619-515-3003 |
| Garbatella Osteria Bar | Chula Vista CA | 619-651-1185 |
| 264 Fresco (Kitchen) | Carlsbad CA | 760-720-3737 |
| Morgan Run Resort and Club | Rancho Sante Fe CA | 858-759-5473 |
| Sycuan Casino | El Cajon CA | 619-445-6002 |
| Mission Bay Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 858-488-0501 |
| Estancia Adobe | San Diego CA | 858-550-1000 |
| Juniper & Ivy | San Diego CA | 858-481-3666 |
| Viewpoint Brewing Co. | Del Mar CA | 858-205-9835 |
| Farmer and The Seahorse | San Diego CA | 619-302-3682 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| Barrel & Board | San Diego CA | 619-379-2574 |
| Pacifica Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-792-0505 |
| The Guild Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (20/20) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| Graze | San Diego CA | 619-839-9852 |
| Madison | San Diego CA | 619-822-3465 |
| San Diego Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-758-6334 |
| Saint Mark Golf and Resort, LLC | San Marcos CA | 508-320-6644 |
| The Monsaraz | San Diego CA | 858-760-6228 |
| Swagyu Chop Shop-PB | San Diego CA | 858-758-0357 |
| Pacific Coast Spirits | Oceanside CA | 925-381-5392 |
| Convention Center Shell | San Diego CA | 619-954-3063 |
| Monarch | Del Mar CA | 619-308-6500 |
| Pacific Terrace Hotel | San Diego CA | 858-581-3500 |
| The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Vineyard Gourmet Catering | Temecula CA | 951-858-1585 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Grill | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| The Bier Garden | Encinitas CA | 760-632-2437 |
| Hilton Garden Inn - Homewood Suites San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-696-6300 |
| Black Radish | San Diego CA | 619-775-7412 |
| Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
| The Guild Bar | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
| Dolce Pane & Vino | Del Mar CA | 858-832-1518 |
| Verbena Kitchen LLC | San Diego CA | 609-458-1672 |
| Izakaya Maize/Rabih Sus | La Mesa CA | 619-395-6383 |
| Palmys | San Diego CA | 858-886-7111 |
| Seven Seas Roasting Co. | San Diego CA | 619-261-7275 |
| Pacific Coast Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-794-4632 |
| Shogun Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
| Sushi Exchange | San Diego CA | 619-961-7218 |
| Cesarina | San Diego CA | 619-226-6222 |
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 |
Recently Shared
People have shared Micro Italian 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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Poway Farmers Market
Quantum Microgreens
Near Poway, California, United StatesSan Diego, CA About 146 days ago, 9/03/22 
La Jolla Open Aire Market
Quantum Microgreens
Near La Jolla, California, United StatesSan Diego, CA About 229 days ago, 6/12/22 |
