The Many Types of Basil

[Mika]

I just found a great list on many different types of basil!

• ‘Amethyst’ – the only purple Genovese type basil. This almost-black basil is stunning in the garden.

• ‘Ararat’ – classic basil flavor with mottled purple and green leaves. Beautiful when used as a filler for bouquets.

• ‘Aroma’ very similar to Genovese, but it has greater defenses against fusarium wilt.

• ‘Aussie Purple’ – purple and green streaked leaves. This variety is reluctant to go to seed.

• ‘Boxwood’ – compact, small-leafed plants look like boxwoods and are more uniform than other dwarf basils. Great for pesto.

• ‘Cardinal’ – dark red flowers that bloom from spring to early fall. Attractive to birds, bees and butterflies.

• ‘Christmas’ a cross that combines the attributes of both Genovese and Thai basils. With its large, green, glossy leaves, purple flower bracts, and a rich fruity holiday aroma, this variety is often used in wedding bouquets during the holiday season.

• ‘Dark Opal’ – mostly purple with random splotches of green. Upright, rounded habit.

• ‘Fino Verde’ has a spicy and sweet flavor. Very small leaves on a medium sized plants.

• ‘Genovese’ is often called the “gourmet basil”, it has a typical basil flavor, but is rich and smooth; its the best for pesto.

• ‘Greek Columnars’ attractive appearance is in the plant’s dense columnar shape. It does not flower, so the flavor is maintained throughout the year. It can be grown indoors in the winter. This basil has a pungent flavor that is best for stews and hearty dishes.

• ‘Green Bouquet’ a sweet, compact, bushy basil with ½” long pungent leaves. It makes an attractive container or edible edging plant.

• ‘Holy’ – our new favorite! A gourmet basil with a light musky scent that has a hint of mint and cloves. It makes a delicious tasting tea.

• ‘Italian Large Leaf’ – famous sweet basil for making Italian dishes, pesto, and flavoring vegetables. Grows to over two feet tall.

• ‘Lemon’ – it’s leaves have a citrus flavor and lemony scented flowers. Delicious in salads, sauces and with chicken. Also used in potpourri.

• ‘Lettuce Leaf’ has large ruffled leaves and is great on sandwiches, in pesto, and is a good variety for freezing.

• ‘Lime’ – a distinct zesty lime flavor and aroma, yet still a discernable basil taste. Compact plant with 2” long, bright green leaves.

• ‘Mini Purple’ – one of the best basil performers for the dead heat of summer. Similar flavor to sweet basil. Tiny purple leaves on a compact plant. Perfect for mixed pots.

• ‘Purple Ruffles’ – deep-purple leaves with a unique ruffled edge. The hint of licorice and cinnamon flavor of this variety is not a strong as the other purples and it needs full sun for best color.

• ‘Red Rosie’ – a vigorous, compact upright basil with leaves and stems that are an intense dark purple-red color. Aromatic and relatively mild in flavor, its unique leaf appearance and lavender-like flowers make it an ideal ornamental plant in the garden.

• ‘Spicy Globe’ has tiny leaves and is a more compact plant. It looks great in knot gardens and small pots. It makes a zesty addition to green salads or ricotta cheese. Use sparingly for its small leaves pack quite a punch.

• ‘Sweet’ (Nufar) is the most common type of basil it has a lovely clove-like scent. It is excellent in salads, with fish, meats, and in sauces. Especially delicious in Italian, Greek or Thai dishes.

• ‘Sweet Thai’ – sweeter than our ‘Siam Queen’. Green, 2” long leaves have a spicy anise-clove flavor. This one is similar in appearance to Licorice basil, very ornamental with its purple flower clusters.

• ‘Thai Magic’ – mild flavor with large leaves and compact purple flower clusters. Pinch back to keep compact.

• ‘Thai Siam Queen’ – flavor reminiscent of both cinnamon and anise. Easy to grow with purple flowers on a compact plant.

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That's a lot of kinds of basil! My favorites are Spicy Globe and Lime but I'm always willing to try more kinds!

Which ones are your favorite?

 

[CanadianLori]

I just started some genovese basil seedlings. Missed the fresh stuff too much!

absolutely fantastic in bruschetta.

 

[Cryyo]

My wife grows a ton of basil. She calls one "chocolate mint basil." I don't know if that's the real name, but I can tell you it's the best basil I have ever had. It works in almost any dish, as it is fragrant and distinct but not too pungent.

 

[claudine]

Wow, this is so interesting! I had absolutely no idea that there are so many different kinds of basil. 'Amethyst' sounds like a wonderful variety. Black is my favorite color, so I'd love to grow it in the herb garden in my kitchen

 

[globulon]

Thanks for sharing, Mika, this is a crazy comprehensive list. I've never heard of 90% of the types on this list, and now wonder how many different basil types I have actually tried! Would definitely love to try those with a spicy and pungent kick!

 

[IcyBC]

I like Thai basil and Italian basil. Both have different flavor and smell so good. In the summer I planted both, and gather the leaves at the end of season to dry and crumble for seasoning my meat of all kind. They kept quite well and retained better color than the store bought one!

 

[Ctalk]

I like all kids I think.
Thai, Italian and Genovese is what I use most thee days, as its easy to get and we grew Italian last year so have it in the freezer.
There are so many , itslike apples and roses, you can only get to know a bundle of them, but you can try to suss out as many as possible, especially if you travel, or go to resturants you can ask for the type they used in your food, if you remember.

 

[Trellum]

I had no idea I could ever want to grow basil as a ornamental plant! I had no idea there were so many different varieties of basil! It's amazing! I would love getting the cardinal variety, it sounds just amazing!

 

[Greenhorn]

I like basil; it’s an area of focus for me this spring.

Last week I planted seeds for 12 different varieties, I planted Genovese, Lemon, Aurelia, Italian Pesto, Cameo, Window Box, Profumo Genova, Purple Opal, Thai Queenette, Salad leaf, Spicy Globe and Sweet Green. I have some others like Holy and Cinnamon... that I have not planted yet.

I’m really excited to see, sample and better understand all the different varieties.

My favorite basil dish is Tortellini Salad with one of the more traditional pesto Basil's.

 

[R.R.]

I've never had tortellini salad with pesto but it sounds good

 

[FountainMan]

I grow Sweet, Genovese, and Spicy Globe basil. Have had Greek basil in the past. I prefer to mix the varieties. Make my own pasta sauce so I like the variations in flavor.

 

[Disha]

Wowowo thank u soo much for sharing the list
Will be plant some of them when i move to usa
Such a huge variety thanks a million

 

[amelia88]

I feel so ignorant because even though I'm half Italian and use basil in so many dishes, I didn't realize there were just so many varieties out there. I honestly don't even know what the variety is that's growing in my garden right now. Yikes...I've got some learning to do, it seems.