Red Rubin Basil
Red Rubin Basil (Ocimum basilicum ‘Purpurascens’) A-Z
- How to use Red Rubin basil in cooking
- Example recipes
- Fastest way to grow from seed
1. How to use Red Rubin basil in cooking
Stronger flavour than regular basil with a striking red colour.
Quite a new variety of Basil and is ideal for tomato dishes, salads and especially great in cocktails
When using it in cooking please note that it has a stronger flavour than regular varieties like Genovese Basil
Often used in recipes like Basil Pesto, but when using it simply use less than other basil types (unless you like a strong basil flavour).
It is ideal as a garnish or with salads and especially good for cocktails.
To use it in cooking:
- If growing your own then cut a twig from the plant
- Wash the basil under cold water
- Then remove the leaves – easiest option is to start at the top and gently slide your finger down, removing the leaves.
- Then cut the leaves into small bits.
The video below shows how to use basil ‘step by step’ when cooking Lemon basil pesto pasta. Please note it is a different type of basil but the method will be exactly the same.
2. Example Red Rubin Basil Recipes
Sorry, I will be adding recipes in the near future.
But typical recipes are:
- Red Basil Pesto
- Red Basil Armenian Salad
- Purple Basil Mojito (cocktail)
3. Fastest way to grow Red Rubin basil from seed
There are 2 ways to grow Red Rubin basil – using soil or hydroponics.
1a. Quick summary
- Seed to harvest – 28 days
- Plant Size – Height 50 cm, Spread 30 cm
- Ideal location- Loves warm, sunny conditions
1b. Instructions
When growing from seed you will need the following:
- 1 packet Red Rubin basil seeds
- Plant pot & soil
- 1 Seed tray (optional)
- 1 Heating mat (optional)
Step 1 – Get the basil seeds.
You can order them online from Amazon or some garden centres will sell them.
Step 2 – Put the seeds in the soil.
Fill a plant pot (or a few pots ) with soil, then add the seeds and sprinkle a bit of soil on top.
- Quick tip 1 – If you put the seeds into a bowl of water for 30 minutes to 1 hour they will start growing quicker then simply putting them in soil.
- Quick tip 2 – Instead of using plants pots start the seeds using a seed tray with a lid. The advantage of using a lid is that it will retain the moisture helping your plants grow. Simply put a bit of soil in the tray, spoon in the seeds and cover with a bit of soil.
Step 3. Put the pot or tray somewhere safe and leave them to sprout.
The seeds will germinate in 5 to 15 days.
- Quick tip 3 – Use a heat mat. All you do is put the tray on the mat and the extra heat will significantly speed up how fast your seeds will grow.
- For more info & why it works so well have a look at our article on a seed starter mat
Step 4. Help them grow
For example the example in the picture it was sown on 7 July, Transferred into a pot on 14 July – the picture was taken 28 July. And will probably be ready for 1st harvest in about 1 week i.e. 4 weeks from sowing to harvest.
When they’ve grown thin the seedlings or transplant leaving 30 cm between plants, Then simple put them somewhere warm and sunny and wait for them to grow.
One option (depending on the time of year or where you live) is to use an indoor grow light.
Note
It is ideally suited for planting outside in a pot on a balcony or terrace or inside on a sunny windowsill (or using lighting).
Essentially it is an improved variety of Dark Opal Basil (which was originally developed by John Scarchuk and Joseph Lent at the University of Connecticut[2] in the 1950s)
How to grow Red Rubin Basil indoors (hydroponics or aquaponics)
Because of the importance of moisture and light it is ideally suited for hydroponics with additional lights.
Not only are they easier to grow, but you will also get fast results.
New to hydroponics? – Top 5 hydroponic kits for beginners
More information
The type of basil you use will differ depending on the flavour you need, as well as recipe requirements.
We will be adding more recipes over time – for example how to make cocktails, use it in pasta, etc. In addition there is more info at the example basil recipes page
Absolutely loved growing this, looks great and fantastic when making a mojito cocktail