Basil is a member of the large mint family, or Lamiaceae family, along with other culinary herbs like rosemary, sage, and even lavender. It is believed that basil has origins in India, but the herb has been cultivated for over 5,000 with its reach spreading to all corners of the globe.
One of the next things we wanted the answer to was: where do basil come from?
An answer is that scientists believe that basil (scientific name Ocimum basilicum) originated in India thousands of years ago. It was brought from India to Europe in the 16th century and from there to America in the 17th century.
Where does Basil grow naturally?
Basil is native to tropical regions from Central Africa to Southeast Asia. It is a tender plant, and is used in cuisines worldwide. There are many varieties of basil, as well as several related species or hybrids also called basil.
The next thing we asked ourselves was; where does Basil grow in the US?
One source claimed Basil was not introduced in Britain until the 16th century and they later brought this herb to North America. Today it is grown all over the Mediterranean region and in California. In Italian cuisine, basil adds wonderful flavor to tomato sauce, pesto, and vinegars.
What is the history of Basil?
Basil has long been used in culinary traditions, but its history is rich with other uses in society. In ancient Egypt, basil was likely used as an embalming and preserving herb as it has been found in tombs and mummies.
Basil is an annual, or sometimes perennial, herb used for its leaves. Depending on the variety, plants can reach heights of between 30 and 150 cm (1 and 5 ft).
What is the scientific name for Basil?
Basil is called by many names like sweet basil or even Thai basil, but all of its common names refer to the herb’s botanical name, Ocimum basilicum. Basil is a member of the large mint family, or Lamiaceae family, along with other culinary herbs like rosemary, sage, and even lavender.
One idea is that description Basil is a an herb that is most often used in Italian cuisine. It is also a popular herb in Asian dishes. Basil is part of the mint family. The plant has small, shiny green leaves and a very distinct aroma. Basil’s flavor is sweet and pungent.
While I was reading we ran into the inquiry “How do you collect basil seeds from a plant?”.
One article stated that crush the heads over the colander and pick out the old petals and any chaff. Basil seed collecting is that simple. You can also put the dried seed heads into a paper bag and shake it, then crush the bag with a rolling pin, tip the pulverized plant material into a shallow tray and blow out the chaff.
Another thing we asked ourselves was: how big does a basil plant get?
One source claimed depending on the variety, plants can reach heights of between 30 and 150 cm (1 and 5 ft). Its leaves are richly green and ovate, but otherwise come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes depending on cultivar. Leaf sizes range from 3 to 11 cm (1 to 4 1⁄2 in) wide. Basil grows a thick, central taproot.
Are basil and mint related?
Both basil and mint are members of the same family, which means that they do share certain properties. Basil can be used as a mint substitute in all of its savory applications and can do just as good a job at flavoring vegetables. It is also sweet enough to be useful in some dessert applications. Mint can also be used in some dishes that call for basil.
One source proposed Basil and mint are both versatile herbs that belong to the Lamiaceae family. Basil is widely used in Mediterranean dishes while mint is more popular in the Middle East and parts of Asia. These two herbs share certain qualities, but also have very definite differences.
What are the most essential herbs in the mint family?
T he Labiatae, the 3,500 members of the mint family, include, beside mint, a number of herbs that are fundamental to Western cooking — thyme, marjoram, oregano, basil, sage, rosemary, savory — along with other ancient herbs with less culinary value, such as lavender, hyssop, lemon thyme,.
My answer is the mint family ( Lamiaceae) is known for its aromatic members, especially the mints and balms. Plants in the family are characterized by square stems, paired and simple leaves, and two-lipped open-mouthed tubular flowers. The following is a list of some of the major genera and species in the mint family, arranged alphabetically by common name.
Basil can be used as a mint substitute in all of its savory applications and can do just as good a job at flavoring vegetables. It is also sweet enough to be useful in some dessert applications. Mint can also be used in some dishes that call for basil.