There are two different types of basil that are used often in Thai cooking. They look so much alike, and even Thais can get confused, but they shouldn't get mixed up. Their aromas and flavors are totally different. One really can't be substituted for the other or it would be like making a completely different dish (although I'm sure it would still be yummy :) ). Here I will show you how to tell the difference between them.
Thai Holy Basil
(Ocimum tenuiflorum)
The dull green leaves of Thai holy basil have curly edges, and the stalks of the herb are also green. Sometimes you may find red or white holy basil, but they are not easy to find. The difference between them is color and how strong their scent is, but all types of holy basil have a similar taste.
It's very hard to find this outside of Thailand. If you have no clue where to get it, I suggest planting some in your garden! It's easy to take care of, and it grows so fast. You can also use dried holy basil in your cooking, but using the fresh herb is so much better.
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| holy basil |
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| holy basil leaf |
Sweet Basil
(Ocimum basilicum)
This is the kind of basil that you are probably familiar with. It's famous all over the world. When you think of basil, you will probably think of Italian, French, or other cuisine before Thai, but sweet basil is widely used in Thai cooking as well. It gives each dish a special scent, and also has a mild sweet taste when chewed.
Sweet basil plants have shiny and smooth green leaves with edges that contain tiny little saws. The stalk has a tinge of red or purple, and often has tiny new leaves along the tip.
Sweet basil plants have shiny and smooth green leaves with edges that contain tiny little saws. The stalk has a tinge of red or purple, and often has tiny new leaves along the tip.
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| Sweet basil |
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| sweet basil leaf |
You will find I use both of these herbs in several Thai dishes in my blog. Ga Prao Gai uses holy basil, for example, and my stir-fried fish recipe uses sweet basil.
Feel free to leave any questions, comment, or suggestion in a comment box below. I will get back to you asap!
You can also request that I teach you how to make your favorite Thai dish!
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