Basil, or Sweet Basil, is a common name for the culinary herb Ocimum basilicum, of the family Lamiaceae (mints), sometimes known as Saint Joseph’s Wort in some English-speaking countries.
Basil, originally from India, is best known as a culinary herb prominently featured in Italian cuisine, and also plays a major role in the Northeast Asian cuisine of Taiwan and the Southeast Asian cuisines of Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. Depending on the species and cultivar, the leaves may taste somewhat like anise, with a strong, pungent, often sweet smell.
There are many varieties of Ocimum basilicum, as well as several related species or species hybrids also called basil. The type used in Italian food is typically called sweet basil, as opposed to Thai basil (O. basilicum var. thyrsiflora), lemon basil (O. × citriodorum) and holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum), which are used in Asia. While most common varieties of basil are treated as annuals, some are perennial in warm, tropical climates, including holy basil and a cultivar known as ‘African Blue’.
Basil is originally native to India and other tropical regions of Asia, having been cultivated there for more than 5,000 years.
<"Per the Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet"> developed by their Department of Horticulture and Crop Science – Basil is surprisingly easy to grow. It is easily grown from seed regardless of whether it is started indoors or broadcast outside in the garden after the danger of frost has passed. Basil is very tender and sensitive to frost injury. For indoor culture, sow seeds in a flat, and cover them with a moistened, sterile mix to a depth not more than twice the size of the seed. Space seeds 3/8 to 1/2 inch apart in the flat. Maintain a soil temperature of approximately 70 degrees F. Once germination begins, at 5 to 7 days, the plantlets must be kept warm at 70 degrees F or above and the soil must be kept moist. When seedlings have at least 2 pairs of true leaves, transplant them to 2 inch pots.
Basils grow best in a sunny location and need a well-drained, rich soil. Plants started indoors and hardened off in May can be planted outside to their permanent location and spaced about 12 inches apart. Since moisture is important to a good basil crop, mulching the area will not only discourage weeds but will maintain the moisture level of the soil keeping the plant healthy. Basil prefers a soil pH of 5.5 to 6.5. Fertilize basil sparingly as this decreases the fragrant oils. To encourage a bushy, healthy plant and to maximize production, don’t be afraid to prune basil. Pinch off the flower buds as soon as they begin to emerge. Basil will usually have to be pruned every 2 to 3 weeks.
The ideal time to harvest basil and other herbs that are to be dried, is on a sunny morning immediately after the dew has evaporated and before the day becomes too warm. When harvesting basil, cut it back to about 1/4 inch above a node. Leave enough foliage on the plant so it can continue growing healthy.
There are several methods you can use to dry basil; all methods are relatively simple. First dry basil in small bunches by hanging them upside down in a dark, dry, warm, well ventilated room. Use twine, rubber bands or twist ties to hold the bundles together. Second, you can dry basil leaves on screens placed outside in the shade on a hot day. Cover them with cheesecloth to keep the leaves from blowing away. Still another method of drying is on a low setting in the microwave. Lay basil on a paper towel and cover it with a paper towel. It could take up to 3 minutes to dry basil in the microwave. S top periodically throughout the drying process to turn the basil to help promote quicker drying and to avoid burning. It is very difficult to dry herbs without burning them because of hot spots in the microwave. If you smell the herb as it’s drying, chances are you have lost many of the fragrant oils. After drying the basil, store in a sealed, preferably dark container away from the heat.
In addition to the drying methods mentioned above, you can also preserve basil by freezing it in ice cubes (nearest to fresh taste when added to cooked foods), putting fresh leaves in vinegar or oil (most useful in salad dressing), and blending it with oil, cheese, and pine nuts, (walnuts or sunflower seeds) to make pesto. Pesto freezes well for six months. Be sure to “seal” your pesto with a layer of olive oil. Dark opal basil makes a beautiful, tangy purple vinegar. Putting herbs in vinegar captures their flavor for the months when fresh herbs are not available.
Basils can be used in the herb garden, flower garden, as borders plants, in containers, raised beds, and in hanging baskets.
Each variety of basil can add an accent to a garden: dark opal offers stunning purple foliage and mauve flowers; the miniature or bush basil is especially attractive for borders; the ruffled varieties (O. basilicum ‘PurpleRuffles’ and O. basilicum ‘Green RuMes’) offer unique textures.
Bring the wonderful fragrance of basil indoors by incorporating them in potpourris, sachets, and dried winter bouquets. The heavily scented opal basil and the sweet scented thyrsiflora basil are particularly good. Other fragrant varieties include: lemon, anise and cinnamon basils.
The best flavor is found in fresh leaves, but frozen and dried leaves are worth the effort also. The leaves can be used cooked or raw. Crush, chip or mince the leaves and add to recipes, or add whole leaves to salads. Sprigs of basil make a wonderfully aromatic garnish. The flowers are beautiful, edible, and also make a unique garnish.
Basil is traditional in Italian, Mediterranean andThai cookery. It is superb with veal, lamb, fish, poultry, whitebeans, pasta, rice, tomatoes, cheese and eggs. It blends well with garlic, thyme and lemon. Basil adds zip to mild vegetables like zucchini, summer squash, eggplant, potatoes, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, parsnips, spinach and to the soups, stews and sauces in which these vegetables appear, and to add to its versatility, basil is also one of the ingredients in the liqueur chartreuse.
Drying Basil Leaves
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12 Scented Tea Lights – Basil & Herb $6.5 12 Pack Scented aluminum cup soy wax tea lights, which will come shrink wrapped. These are made with 100% cotton wicks and 100% Pure Soy Wax. These Tea Lights have a 6-7 hour burn time!! Basil and Herb: The aroma of a lush herb garden ready for harvest! A potent yet soothing union of fresh basil, sage and tomato leaf. A ‘true to life’ fragrance you must experience. |
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12 oz Apothecary Soy Candle – Basil & Herb $10 This 12oz Apothecary Jar Candle is 100% environmentally friendly pure soy wax and is scented with premium Basil & Herb with Green dye. This candle is hand poured with love and care and contains 12 ozs of soy wax with a burn time 80 hours. The labels for these candles will show the fragrances listed when shipped to you. Basil and Herb: The aroma of a lush herb garden ready for harvest! A potent yet soothing union of fresh basil, sage and tomato leaf. A ‘true to life’ fragrance you must experience. |
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16 Bottle Filled Spice Rack in Color Box 816 by Lipper International $34.95 IG1106: Features: -Labeled spice bottles.-Revolving rack.-Material: Bamboo.-Dimensions of Set on the Stand: 5.5 x 6 x 11.5.-Cleaning and Care: Wipe clean with a mild soap and water, dry thoroughly. Includes: -Includes Spices: Allspice, Basil, Bay Leaf, Celery Salt, Dill Weed, Garlic, Ground Mustard, Minced Onion, Oregano, Paprika, Parsley, Pepper Corn, Pickling Spice, Red Pepper, Rosemary & Thyme. |
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18 oz & 12 oz Apothecary Soy Candle – Basil & Herb $22.75 This 18 oz & 12 oz Apothecary Jar Candle is 100% environmentally friendly pure soy wax and is scented with premium Basil & Herb with Green dye. These candles are hand poured with love and care and contains 18 ozs & 12 ozs of soy wax. The labels for these candles will show the fragrances listed when shipped to you. Basil and Herb: The aroma of a lush herb garden ready for harvest! A potent yet soothing union of fresh basil, sage and tomato leaf. A ‘true to life’ fragrance you must experience. |
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360 Black Cologne Gift Set for Men 3.4 oz Eau De Toilette Spray $35.99 360 Black Cologne Gift Set for Men 3.4 oz Eau De Toilette Spray 360 BLACK was launched by the designer house of Perry Ellis in 2006. This scent possesses a blend of Cardamom, Sambuca, Barbados Ginger Spice, Nutmeg Extract, Tamarind Vine, Black Basil, Tobacco Leaf, Suede Accord and Liquid Amber. Midnight Rider 4 Piece Set Includes: 3.4 oz Eau de Toilette Spray + 3.0 oz After Shave Balm + 2.75 oz Deodorant Stick + 0.25 oz Eau de Toilette Spray |
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360 Black by Perry Ellis for Men – 4 Pc Gift Set 3.4oz EDT Spray ,3oz Aftershave Balm, 2.75 Deodorant Stick, 7.5ml EDT Spray $26.09 Fragrance has a blend of cardamom sambuca barbados ginger spice nutmeg extract tamarind vine black basil tobacco leaf suede accord and liquid amber. 4 Pc Gift Set 3.4oz EDT Spray 3oz Aftershave Balm 2.75 Deodorant Stick 7.5ml EDT Spray. |
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Activi-T Adrenal Support Life Seasons 60 Caps $26.24 Activi-T Adrenal Support by Life Seasons 60 Capsule Activi-T Adrenal Support 60 Capsule Activi-T helps support the body’s ability to deal with stress its ability to reguvenate the body and supports natural levels of energy. Supplement Facts Amount Per Serving Daily Value Vitamin B-6 (pridoxine HCL) 20 mg 1000 Vitamin B-12 (as merhylcobalamin pure) 400 mcg 6667 Rhodiola (Rhodiola Rosea)(Root Extract) 250 Mg Holy Basil Extract (leaf)2 300 mg Schizandra Extract (fruit)(2 Schizandrinss) 200 mg Ashwangandha Powder 50 mg Wolfberry (Lycium) 50 mg Yerba Mate 25 mg Oatstraw (Avena sativa)(herb) 25 mg Rhodiola (Rhodiola Rosea)(Root powder) 25 mg Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum)(leaf) 25 mg Daily Value Not Established Percent Daily Values are based on a 2 000 calorie diet Other Ingredients Vegetable cellulose and rice bran Does Not Contain artificial colors gluten preservatives yeast wheat soy.corn and milk. Warnings Keep out of reach of children. As with all dietary supplements consult your healthca |
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Adrenal Assist Vitanica 90 Caps $20.87 Adrenal Assist by Vitanica 90 Capsule Adrenal Assistant 90 Capsules (Adrenal Support) Adrenal gland function and its production of hormones are vital performance tasks in our response to stress. This formula contains key nutrients and botanicals promoting enhanced resistance to stress and to support the body’s response system during prolonged periods of stress. Suggested use 3 capsules per day. Also suitable for men. Each vegetarian suitable capsule includes Vitamin C buffered (as calcium ascorbate) Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxal-5-phosphate) Vitamin B5 (as calcium pantothenate) Magnesium (citrate malate) Zinc (as picolinate) Rhodiola rosea extract ( 3 rosavins 1 salidroside) Astragalus root Maca Ashwagandha root extract (3.5 withanolides) Holy basil leaf extract (2.5 ursolic acid) Panax Ginseng extract (10 ginsenosides) Schizandra berry Eleutherococcus senticosus extract(20 1) |
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And Still I Cook $127.95 An outstanding cornucopia of enthusiastically recommended home-style recipes offering a very special touch of taste-tested, appetite-satisfying charm. -Midwest Book Review Anyone wanting to try Creole cooking must get this book. It”s just one interesting dish after another. -Lebanon (MO) Daily Record Delight in the recipes and 50 years of reflections from Leah Chase and her New Orleans restaurant, Dooky Chase, a benchmark for Creole cooking. -Desert Leaf magazineThis second cookbook from Leah Chase contains reflections on life, business, family, and friends, with the recipes that bring them all together. There are special menus from organizations that have gathered at the Dooky Chase Restaurant in New Orleans for years, off the menu specials prepared for customers with special needs or a craving for something different, and a number of classic Creole and gourmet recipes, with every recipe guaranteed to warm the heart and nourish the soul.Recipes include her famous Gumbo z”Hab and Shrimp Clemenceau; new recipes, like the delicious Veggie Jambalaya and Rice Pancakes with Ham and Tomato-Basil Sauce; and old favorites, like Oxtail Stew and Sweet Potato Soup. |
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Being True Energy Work Aroma Shower Gel $20.25 This ultra hydrating, high energy body gel is soap-free and non-drying. Yucca and antibacterial Hops help to heal tired skin while anitoxidants White and Green Tea promote long lasting skin health. being TRUE aromatherapy wakeup call bursts with Spearmint and other essential oils to bring a positive and brighteyed state of mind. Directions: For a great wake me up in the shower/bath work a generous amount into a rich lather and massage into dampened skin. Net Weight: 6.8 oz./200 ml Ingredients: Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate, Aqua (Water), Chloroacetic Acid, Dichloroacetic Acid, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Sodium Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Amaranth Protein, Sodium Decylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenethyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate (D-alpha), Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Mentha Viridis (Spearmint) Leaf Oil, Algae Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Extract, Sea Salt, Cananga Odorata (Ylang Ylang) Flower Oil, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Ocimum Basilicum (Basil) Oil, Camellia Sinensis (White Tea) Leaf Extract*, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Yucca Schidigera Leaf/Root/Stem Extract, Glycerin*, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Alcohol Denat., Phenoxyethanol |
