Which kind of basil should I use?

Which kind of basil should I use? - Positive young ethnic female with curly brown hair taking self shot on cellphone in town on blurred background

I'm new to cooking and I was planning to make a recipe I saw on TV with pasta. One ingredient is basil. The chef on the show advised always to use fresh herbs; he used a kind of vasiliko with large leaves I think it's called holy basil.

I tried to find one those species but they only grow in spring time. During winter we have a different kind with smaller leaves, it's the second from left to right in the picture.

vasilikos

Does it make any difference? Should I use this one or skip it and use dry basil?

Penne with prosciutto and mozzarella:

 300 gr. pence
 10 cherry tomatoes
 100 gr. fresh mozzarella
 1 onion
 basil leaves
 10 slices prosciutto
 olive oil
 Salt and pepper


Best Answer

For this type of Italian recipe, you want a Mediteranian style basil, often called simply "basil" or "sweet basil".

Ones called holy basil or thai basil have a much more aggressive and extremely perfumed flavor which would be jarring in this dish.

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What type of 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.

Which basil is best for home?

  • Ocimum basilicum 'Genovese' This is the classic Italian sweet green basil. ...
  • Ocimum basilicum 'Thai' ...
  • Ocimum basilicum 'Mrs. ...
  • Ocimum basilicum 'Spicy Bush' ...
  • Ocimum kilimandscharicum x basilicum 'African Blue'


  • What is the most commonly used basil?

    Sweet basil is the most common variety at the grocery store. If your recipe doesn't specify what kind of basil to use, it probably calls for sweet basil. This type of basil has dark green, glossy leaves and a sweet but slightly spicy flavor. Use it to make pesto or a caprese salad.

    What type of basil do we eat?

    Sweet basil is probably the most common variety of basil very popular in pestos, salads, and marinades. Sweet basil is a medium green color with a rounded cup-shaped leaf. Sweet basil has been known to repel mosquitos. When you find basil in the grocery store, it will most often be the sweet basil variety.



    Did you try these 16 Varieties of Basil? My most and least favorite types of basil




    Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

    Images: Blue Bird, Blue Bird, Andrea Piacquadio, olia danilevich