Ocimum

Basil is perhaps the most popular and widely used culinary herb. It is a tender annual, aromatic plant with a spicy odor and flavor. It grows 12-18 inches tall and foliage color can range from green to purple. Foliage size can vary from large lettuce-like leaves to very small leaves, half inch in size. It is a herb in the mint family that has a strong sweet aroma making it ideal for seasoning food. It is mostly used to flavor soups, stews, tomato dishes, meat, game, fish, egg dishes, herb butters and herb vinegars. It also has some medicinal benefits, including its use as a tonic to aid in digestion. Varieties: African Blue, Amethyst, Ararat, Aristotle, Blue Spice, Christmas, Cinnamon, Crimson King, Dolce Fresca, Greek, Red Ball, holy Tea, Italian Large Leaf, Jolina, Lemon, Lime, Magical Michael, Mammoth, Oriental Breeze, Persian, Piccolino, Queen of Sheba, Red Genovese, Red Rubin, try Me, Spice Globe, Sweet, Sweet Thai, Thai Magic, Thai (red stem)