There are many different types of basil – each with it’s unique flavour.

On this page you will find the latest & most popular basil recipes. And further down the page the 5 most often asked basil recipe questions

There are up to 150 different types of basil (wikipedia) and each will have completely different flavour.

Which is why the best basil for cooking is to select the right type for your recipe.

The 7 most popular basil types are:

1. Genovese Basil – best type for Italian, French or Greek recipes.
2. Tulasi or Holy Basil – if you like cooking spicy Thai dishes.
3. Lemon Basil – Ideal for South Asian or North East African Dishes.
4. Thai Basil – Best for Thai, Laos or Vietnamese Recipes
5. Cinnamon Basil – Ideal for Mexican or South American recipes
6. Red Rubin Basil (pictured) – great for tomato dishes, salads and especially great in cocktails
7. Lettuce leaf Basil – often used for sandwiches, pesto and salads

Obviously it depend on which store (shop) you go to but the 2 most often sold fresh basil types are:

2a – Sweet or Genovese Basil

If you buy fresh basil then you will most likely get either sweet or Genovese basil. (very often just called ‘basil’) However, even these 2 European varieties are different.

• Sweet basil – has a flavour tasting a bit like a blend of liquorice and cloves with a hint of mint.
• Genovese basil – has a stronger flavour preferred by chefs – a bit like a combination of aniseed and cloves.

2b – Thai basil

With a strong liquorice and anise flavour that gives foods like curries and soups a unique aroma.

3a – Advantages of dried basil

Dried basil is easy to store and a key advantage is that you will always have it available.

In addition dried basil has a more ‘intense’ flavour and is easier to use (you can add it at the start of cooking).

3b – Advantage of basil recipes fresh leaves

However a key to realise is that fresh basil will add a more ‘fresh basil’ flavour to your dishes.

You tend to add it at the end of cooking – to get the best possible flavour.

3c – Which one is best?

For convenience and ease dried has an advantage. But I will always use fresh basil because of the better flavour.

Above I mentioned that fresh basil tastes better but that dried basil is easier to use.

However it is very easy to freeze fresh basil to keep the flavour and also have it always available.

There is more details in my how to make sweet basil cubes article