Basil Facts Sheet
Types of Basil
There are many types of basil with a variety of flavours. I have only mentioned the common ones here:
Sweet basil (most common in Italian cooking)
Bush basil
Lemon basil
Thai Basil (most common in Thai cooking)
Holy Basil (Tulsi)
How to grow basil
Soil: light, well drained soil
Position: sunny and sheltered from winds
Pot: suitable
Height: sweet basil grows to 75cm and other basils tend to be lower growing, around 30cm.
Plant: in late spring for prolific growth throughout summer. Harvest regularly, pinching out the flower heads to increase the growth of leaves and ensure a long season.
It will be necessary to harvest all the leaves in the early autumn as colder weather weakens the plant.
Storing: basil can be stored as a pesto, or chopped and frozen in ice cube trays for use in other seasons.
Companion planting
Basil is well known for being a great companion plant for tomatoes and it also tends to invigorate other vegetables that it grows with.
Medicinal uses:
Sweet basil is beneficial for the digestive system and the nervous system.
Basil tea can be made from fresh leaves to relieve a tension headache.Blend with lemon balm and/or chamomile.
Holy basil (tulsi) is used in a tea to restore balance and vitality. It has 3000 years of recorded medicinal use. It is thought to promote a long life.
In the kitchen
Sweet basil (shown above) famously teams well with tomatoes and olive oil:
tomato, bocconcini and basil salad
bruschetta with tomato and basil
tomato and basil soup
margareta pizza
Basil also works well with:
chicken
pasta
eggs
walnuts
zucchini, eggplant, squash
hard cheeses and goats cheese
lemon and lime
garlic
coconut based curries
Basil is wonderful in pesto, see pesto recipe.
