LEMON BASIL

Ocimum basilicum citriodorum

  • COMMON NAMES

    Lemon basil, hoary basil, Thai lemon basil, or Lao basil

  • PLANT FAMILY

    Lamiaceae

    The Mint Family

  • NATIVE REGION

    Native to northeastern Africa and southern Asia.

  • HABITAT

    Prefers tropical climates with light soil & full sun.

  • CULTIVATION

    Annual, from seed

  • PARTS USED

    Leaf

PREPARATION

PROPERTIES: Volatile oil & Alkaloids

FLAVOR PROFILE: Bright, citrusy, and sweet.

PAIRING: Fruit, pasta, curries

  • Use flowering tops and leaves. Discard stems. Chop finely and use 1 heaping teaspoon per cup of hot water.

  • Use flowering tops and leaves. Discard stems. Chop finely and use 1 heaping tablespoon per 1 oz honey; or 1 cup herb per 1 cup honey for a 1:1 ratio.

  • Use flowering tops and leaves. Discard stems. Chop finely and use 1 heaping tablespoon per 1 oz vinegar; or 1 cup herb per 1 cup vinegar for a 1:1 ratio.

  • Use flowering tops and leaves. Discard stems. Chop finely and use 1 heaping tablespoon per 1 oz spirit; or 1 cup herb per 1 cup spirit for a 1:1 ratio.

  • Dries quickly, air dry and do not apply additional heat to retain delicate volatile oil.