Basil is a key ingredient in many recipes – but it’s important to realise that there are many different types of basil, each with it’s own unique flavour.

The 8 most popular basil varieties for cooking are:

genovese basil

Genovese basil

Ideal for Italian, French or Greek recipes.

Holy Basil

Holy basil

Also called Tulasi basil or hot basil. Great for Thai meals

lemon basil

Lemon basil

If you like cooking South Asian or North East African Dishes.

Minette basil

Minette basil

Often used in pizzas but great in pasta or salad

red basil in a pot

Red Rubin basil

For tomato dishes, salads and great in cocktails

thai basil in a pot

Thai basil

Ideal for Thai, Laos or Vietnamese Recipes.

cinnamon basil

Cinnamon basil

(sweet Mexican basil) used in South American recipes.

lettuce leaf basil in pot

Lettuce leaf basil

Often used for sandwiches, pesto and salads.

New to growing basil? The main basil introduction will show you ‘step by step’ what to do, how to grow and use it.

Which basil should you grow & use in cooking?

One simplest option is to select one (or more) type of basil based on the meals you cook most often.

Or alternatively if youโ€™re unsure where to start the the easy options are:

  • Only growing one plant?ย โ†’ย Genovese or sweet basil
  • Cooking Asian dishes often?ย โ†’ย Thai basil
  • Growing indoors or in pots?ย โ†’ย Cinnamonย basil
  • Want something different?ย โ†’ย Lemon or Red Rubin basil

You can grow multiple different types together, but each will behave slightly differently in terms of size, flavour, and harvest timing.

More information:

Home ยป Herbs ยป Basil ยป Basil


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