Bay leaves are olive green while basil is a vibrant green. As there are many different kinds of bay and basil leaves, there so there are many variations in size and color .
Can I use bay leaves instead of fresh basil?
Fresh basil would be too sweet to stand in for the savory notes of bay leaves. Similarly, bay leaves can be a good replacement for dried basil in soups, stews, and other braised applications but cannot be used in place of fresh basil for pestos and salads .
Are basil and holy basil the same?
Basil, on the other hand, has a smooth, hairless stem. Whereas holy basil has fairly flat leaves , the leaves of basil bend backward. The color and feel of the leaves are also different. While the leaves of holy basil are grey-green, course, and ragged, the leaves of basil are soft, smooth-edged, and a vibrant dark green.
So, what is the difference between Thai and holy basil?
Thai basil is known primarily for being sweet. It has a strong licorice and anise note that allows it to stand out in Thai curries and soups . The anise note is so strong and so sweet that you can eat Thai basil raw. Holy basil brings another flavor profile to the table in that it is intensely spicy,.
A query we ran across in our research was “How can you tell the difference between sweet basil and holy basil?”.
An answer is that One of the first ways to identify a difference between these plants visually is by looking at the stem . The holy basil plant has a hairier stem, and the sweet basil’s stem is hairless. The leaves can also help with differentiation because sweet basil has smooth, plump leaves, and holy basil leaves have a more jagged appearance.
Holy basil has more jagged edges to the leaves, while sweet basil is more rounded and smooth . But genovese basil is also a common variety and they have some jagged leaves. If the stems of the leaves are more purple, it’s likely to be holy basil as many holy basil varieties do have purpling on the stems.
What is holy basil?
Holy basil is a plant that has violet flowers and blossoms ; the stems are green, but sometimes have a purple tinge. Medicinal preparations are made from the leaves, stems, and seeds of the plant. Holy basil is often used for cooking Thai dishes and its spicy flavor has influenced the common name “hot basil.”.
What is the difference between fresh and dried basil?
Fresh basil is highly aromatic and has a fragrance reminiscent of anise and clove. When basil is dried, the anise notes fade and what is left is something that is minty and with mild woody notes that are similar to those in bay leaves. If your recipe calls for bay leaves, can you use basil? Can you use basil in place of bay leaves?
What does a bay leaf look like?
The leaves are oval and smooth with tops that are greener and glossier than the undersides. Typical bay leaves can measure between 1 and 3 inches in length . The most common type of basil in the US is the sweet basil.