What is a sweet basil?
Sweet Basil is a type of herbs popular in many types of kitchen. Member of the Mint family, Sweet Basil is most common in Italian cuisine, although it can add taste and depth to almost any salty bowl. Basil is quite easy to grow and often forms the main part of any herb garden.
There are many different basil varieties used in different types of cooking. For example, Thai basil has a sharp and spicy taste and is often used in the food of Southeast Asia. The lemon basil has a clear citrus taste and can be used as an aroma in the Middle East food. The sweet basil, which is most common in Mediterranean cuisine, has a strong herb taste, but is not as sharp as the Thai basil.
Basil can be used as a component separately or can be mixed with other herbs to create a nuanced taste in a bowl. It is one of the main ingredients in the pesto, a crushed mixture of herbs with pine nuts, garlic and olive oil used to flavor meals oras a sauce for paste or pizza. One popular Italian meal called Caprese uses basil as the whole ingredient and combines fresh basil leaves with slices of tomatoes and mozzarella to make a hearty salad.
Sweet Basil is also awards of alternative medicine for its potential health benefits. The chemical composition of the plant contains antioxidant properties that some doctors believe is beneficial for the overall wellness. Sweet Basil is also used in alternative treatments for respiratory disorders such as asthma. Some domestic remedies also include basil oil or acne extract.
Growing sweet basil is relatively easy if the climate is mild and dry. In a colder climate it can be grown in terrariums that protect it from weather. The plant needs a lot of light and should be placed on a sill or in an area that receives severalhours of strong sunlight. Basil is a low plant that hatches white flowers at certain times of the year. It is good in pots and can be planted with a number of other herbs.
When planting sweet basil as part of the herbal garden, consider adding other herbs that complement a strong taste. Oregano, tarragon, chives and rosemary are also the main parts of Italian and Mediterranean cooking and can be grown in pots or herbs along with basil. Careful care of the herbal garden can be harvested for most of the year, perfectly flavored herbs.