Can You Substitute Thai Basil For Italian Basil?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,


You can do the same recipes as basil

, either mixing the two (they go very well together IMO) or using just Thai. The result will not be the same, as of course Thai has a different flavor, but interesting nonetheless.

Can You Use Thai basil instead of Italian basil?


Yes it will work technically

, but the flavors are pretty different and so your pesto will taste very different (I find Thai basil more licorice flavored). If you like the flavor of Thai basil, give it a try!

What is the difference between Thai basil and Italian basil?

The basil that you’re more likely to recognize at the grocery store is most likely Italian sweet basil. It’s got a shinier finish and has much more round leaves that tend to be a little more floppy and delicate. In terms of taste, Thai basil smells like

anise

and has a more licorice smell with a slightly spicy taste.

What kind of basil do you use for Italian cooking?


Sweet Basil (Ocimum bacilicum)

, and its close relativebasilico genovese, are the only varieties used in Italian cooking to avoid the mint flavor common in other types.

Can you cook with Thai basil?

Thai basil is wonderful eaten raw, slivered, and added to salads, both your plain old cucumber-tomato salad or something meaty like northern Thai larb. But its

hardy leaves stand up especially well to cooking

—their flavor infuses readily into food and the leaves don’t wilt quite as much as Italian sweet basil’s would.

Is Thai basil the same as Vietnamese basil?

In Thailand, Thai basil is called bai horapa, while in Vietnam, it is known as

rau húng quế

. … This true basil is made distinct by its small leaves, smaller than its western and European counterparts. It also has purple stems; when it blooms, its flowers are also colored purple.

Is Thai basil OK for pesto?

This is a pesto sauce with Southeast Asian flavors. Instead of Italian basil, this pesto uses

Thai basil

.

Which basil is used in Thai cooking?


Thai basil, or sweet basil

, is a type of basil native to Southeast Asia that is used widely throughout Thai cuisine. It has a distinctive anise taste profile and restaurants often serve fresh bunches of it alongside noodle dishes or salads.

Which basil is Italian?

“Italian basil” a general term for the types of basil that may be used in Italian cooking. The two types of basil cultivars that are used in Italian cooking include

Sweet Basil

, the most common cultivar, and Genovese Basil.

Is Lemon Basil the same as Thai basil?

Lemon basil is

the least commonly used type of basil in Thailand

. It is also known as Thai lemon basil, in contradistinction to Mrs. Burns’ Lemon basil, another cultivar.

What can replace Thai basil?

Some recipes call for Thai basil, a pungent variety that can be hard to find in grocery stores. To duplicate its flavor, use

common “Italian” basil

and add a few fresh mint sprigs to the recipe.

Is Thai basil the same as cinnamon basil?


Cinnamon basil

is a type of basil (Ocimum basilicum). The term “cinnamon basil” can refer to a number of different varieties of basil, including as a synonym for Thai basil (O. basilicum var. thyrsiflora), as a particular cultivar of Thai basil, and as a separate cultivar in its own right (i.e., O.

What is Italian basil called?

January 14, 2021 August 25, 2020 by Heather Broster. A plant whose sweet-smelling leaves are often used as a herb in Italian cooking is

basilico

(masculine, plural basilici), which is the word for basil.

Are there different types of Thai basil?

Thai cuisine utilises three main type of basil:

Thai basil, holy basil, and lemon basil

. … Thais treat them as separate entities and so these basils are generally not interchangeable with each other.

Can Thai basil be dried?

Thai basil adds a great base flavor for Asian dishes on the trail, but won’t last long without refrigeration. Dehydrated Thai basil can be crumbled up and used in meals like the fresh variety. It’s

easier to dehydrate the entire basil stem

, then pull off all the leaves when it’s dry.

What are the health benefits of Thai basil?

Research shows that Thai Basil is

high in antioxidants, anti-cancer, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties

, which is why it has been used in traditional healing since centuries ago. Aside from ingesting Thai Basil, you can also bruise the leaves and inhale its aroma to relieve stress.

What is Thai basil called in Thailand?

Botanically, Thai basil is classified as Ocimum basilicum var. tenuiflorum though it is sometimes known under the botanical name Ocimum thyrsiflorum. In Thailand, Thai basil is known as

bai horapha

.

Is Thai basil the same as purple basil?

In its native range, Thai basil is a tropical or subtropical plant that can grow up to 3 feet (90 cm) tall. Unlike other basil varieties, it has

unique purple stems

and narrow leaves with a slightly serrated edge, usually green with purple accents around the stems and veins. … Thai basil is often kept as a small shrub.

Is basil used in Italian cooking?

Basil – One of the best known herbs used in Italian cooking is basil. It has a strong anise flavor. Basil is often used in

pesto

or dishes that use tomatoes. The sweetness of the basil works well when combined with the acidity of tomatoes.

What kind of basil is used for pesto?


Sweet Basil

(see above): The most commonly found type in the U.S. and the most familiar, sweet basil has smooth, bright green leaves that are essential in pesto. Genovese basil is a variety of sweet basil that has a floral and delicate aroma.

How do I use Thai basil?

Thai basil stands up to cooking a little better than sweet basil, making it a good choice for soups, stir-fries, and curries. It can also be

eaten raw sprinkled over salads or cold noodles dishes

, and used interchangeably with sweet basils in most recipes.

What is French basil?

Basil is the

perfect herb for pasta, tomato sauce, and chicken

. The flavor of sweet basil is almost addictive and there is little that a bit of basil can’t improve. Known as a tomato’s best friend, add basil to salads, soups, fish and vegetables. French basil has a bit of anise flavor many people enjoy. …

Is Thai Basil the same as cilantro?

There are many different types of basil to choose from when searching for a cilantro stand-in. Thai basil is

a type of basil

that has a distinct taste, often described as spicy and licorice-like. Adding Thai basil to certain dishes, such as curries, instead of cilantro will add a pleasant pop of flavor.

Can you substitute tarragon for Thai basil?

Good basil alternatives include

tarragon, oregano, mint

. Thai basil is also a good alternative but it does have a strong anise flavor so just consider how that will fit into your dish before substituting.

Can I substitute Italian seasoning for basil?

If you’re using Italian seasoning in place of dried basil, you may want to use a little bit more than the amount of basil the recipe calls for, but you should also cut back on

any oregano, rosemary

, and so on if the recipe also includes any of these.

Which basil is best for cooking?

1.

Sweet Basil

. It is the most used and popular basil variety to grow. Sweet basil is used extensively in cooking for its aromatic foliage.

Amira Khan
Author
Amira Khan
Amira Khan is a philosopher and scholar of religion with a Ph.D. in philosophy and theology. Amira's expertise includes the history of philosophy and religion, ethics, and the philosophy of science. She is passionate about helping readers navigate complex philosophical and religious concepts in a clear and accessible way.