Micro Italian Basil
Estimated Inventory, 4 oz : 9.00
This item was last sold on : 01/10/25
Grower
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.
Micro Italian Basil is available year-round.
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.
Micro Italian basil contains some vitamins A, B6, C, E, and K, calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, copper, magnesium, and potassium.
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.
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.
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.
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
the
other 47...
Recipes that include Micro Italian Basil. One
is easiest, three is harder.
| Fresh Origins | Homepage |
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.
Learn More...
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Chef Taylor Dennis LLC | San Diego CA | 512-470-9323 |
| InterContinental Vistal Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
| Pendry SD (Pastry) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
| Humphrey's | San Diego CA | 619-224-3577 |
| The Guild Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-764-5108 |
| Brockton Villa Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-454-7393 |
| The Seabird Resort | Oceanside CA | 951-704-9703 |
| My Chef | San Diego CA | 916-217-0049 |
| The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Catamaran | San Diego CA | 858-488-1081 |
| Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens | Escondido CA | 915-861-2297 |
| Golden Door | San Marcos CA | 760-761-4142 |
| Sugar Bear Enterprises | San Diego CA | 925-383-3623 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| Seven Seas Roasting Co. | San Diego CA | 619-261-7275 |
| California English | San Diego CA | 727-515-0362 |
| Nolita Hall | San Diego CA | 619-618-8820 |
| The Cottage Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-775-1197 |
| Del Mar Country Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-5995 |
| Cape Rey Carlsbad, a Hilton Resort | Carlsbad CA | 760-602-0800 |
| Adobo House | San Diego CA | 619-990-8340 |
| The Cottage Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 858-454-8409 |
| Pacific Coast Spirits | Oceanside CA | 925-381-5392 |
| RoVino Rotisserie + Wine | San Diego CA | 619-972-6286 |
| Sugar and Scribe | La Jolla CA | 858-274-1733 |
| Kitchens For Good | San Diego CA | 619-450-4040 |
| Park Commons - ARE | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Royal Polaris Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
| Pacific Coast Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-794-4632 |
| Orens Fine Foods | San Diego CA | 510-910-2298 |
| Giuseppe Restaurants & Fine Catering | San Diego CA | 619-436-7006 |
| Rose Café | Carlsbad CA | 310-399-0711 |
| Portside Pier (TopSail) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Continental Catering Inc | La Mesa CA | 907-738-9264 |
| Vista Valley | Vista CA | 760-758-2800 |
| Barrel & Board | San Diego CA | 619-902-4646 |
| Palmys | San Diego CA | 858-886-7111 |
| Pendry SD (Provisional) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
| Stone Brewing-Liberty Station | San Diego CA | 619-269-2100 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Bistro Kitchen | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| Hotel Republic San Diego | San Diego CA | 951-756-9357 |
| Portside Pier (Ketch Tasting Deck) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Hilton Harbor Island | San Diego CA | 619-291-6700 |
| KI's | Encinitas CA | 760-586-8289 |
| Lafayette Hotel - Lou Lou's | San Diego CA | 619-296-2101 |
| Juniper & Ivy | San Diego CA | 858-481-3666 |
| Barleymash | San Diego CA | |
| Cucina Enoteca | Del Mar CA | 619-239-2222 |
| Cal A Vie | Vista CA | 760-945-2055 |
| Marisi La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 951-852-6730 |
| InterContinental Banquet Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
| Marriott Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-696-0234 x6051 |
| The Country Club Of Rancho Bernardo | San Diego CA | 858-487-1134 |
| Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1582 |
| La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club | San Diego CA | 619-816-8319 |
| Omni Hotels | San Diego CA | 619-231-6664 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (20/20) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| The Farm Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-5585 |
| Dolce Pane & Vino | Del Mar CA | 858-832-1518 |
| Pendry SD (Provisional Pastry) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
| Tap Room Beer Co. | San Diego CA | 619-539-7738 |
| Eddie V's La Jolla - EV# 8511 | La Jolla CA | 858-459-5500 |
| La Valle Coastal Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-5473 |
| Vi At La Jolla Village | San Diego CA | 858-646-7700 |
| The Wild Thyme Company | San Diego CA | 858-527-0226 |
| Great Maple Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-255-2282 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Grill | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Micro Italian Basil. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Stirring Stew |
|
Tomato and Mozzarella Salad with Microgreens |
