Thai Basil
Key Facts
- It has a standard basil flavour combined with a strong liquorice and anise flavour
- Takes about 2 to 3 months to grow
- Full details on Amazon
Our favourite basil, with a great flavour. Thai basil (not surprisingly) is a native basil from Thailand.
Yes, you can buy it in grocery shops but it’s ever so easy to grow at home.
Example Thai Basil recipes.
Thai Basil is the ideal herb if you like cooking Asian Dishes.
For example Thai, Laos or Vietnamese…
The reason it’s so good for Asian dishes is that it has the same flavours as standard basil but in addition has a strong liquorice and anise flavour that gives foods like curries and soups a unique aroma.
Typical recipes:
This is our favourite kitchen tool
A food mill is ideal for making sauces, mash or puree
(And much better then using a food blender or whisk)
- Just add fresh ingredients and crank to purée!
- Use it to make deliciously smooth mash or lump-free sauces.
- You can even use it to make baby food
- For detailed description visit Amazon
How to grow Thai basil at home.
It is often available in many grocery shops but it’s ever so easy to grow at home. And fresh homegrown basil does taste nicer than even ‘fresh’ ones bought in shops. It is ideal to grow indoors, because as a tropical plant it needs warm temperatures and is not frost resistant.
It loves warm very sunny conditions and hates cold draughts. If you want to grow basil in soil then:
- Days from seed to harvest – about 40 to 50 (2 to 3 months)
- Will germinate in 12 to 40 days
- Thin the seedlings or transplant leaving 38 cm between plants
- It will grow to about 30 cm high
Growing Basil using Hydroponics or Aquaponics
Basil is one of the most popular herbs to grow using hydroponics – as it will be ready to be harvested quicker than planted in soil.
But in addition it is ideal for aquaponics – especially because it loves nitrogen. In addition, whether using hydroponics or aquaponics you will be able to grow it all year around – providing you with fresh herhs when you want it.
Quick Summary
- Thai Basil Anise/Liquorice flavour and is widely used in Thai cooking. It produces purple stems and Green leaves to a height of Approx 40 cm – It will also produce Purple/Pink flowers when mature.
- Sow the seeds indoors from March – April 1/4 inch deep.
- Sowing seeds in individual pots will minimise root damage.
- Seed can also be sown outdoors in drills from May -June 6″ apart.
- Basil can also be grown as a window ledge plant all year round.
- Basil prefers a rich well drained soil in a sheltered yet warm position.
Almost gave this a 5. Like all basil types slightly different flavour and will add a great taste to recipes you can’t get from any other herb. Well worth growing