Cinnamon Basil
This basil has a very spicy, fragrant aroma and flavor.
Cinnamon basil (also called sweet Mexican basil) is ideal for Mexican or South American recipes.
This article will cover:
- How to grow Cinnamon basil at home
- Cinnamon basil recipe examples
probably originally from China or India but very much linked to Mexico.
- Takes about 2 to 3 months to grow
- More info in our ‘Where to buy Basil‘ article
1. How to grow Cinnamon basil at home
Option 1 – How to grow it in soil (garden, balcony, etc.)
If you want to grow it then this basil is ideally suited for planting outside in a pot on a balcony or terrace or inside on a sunny windowsill (or using lighting)
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 70 (2 to 3 months)
- It will germinate in 12 to 40 days
- Grows to 18-30 inches tall. (45 to 76 cm)
Option 2 – How to grow Cinnamon 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
2. Cinnamon Basil recipe examples.
This basil can be very difficult to get in shops but is very easy to grow at home.
And is the ideal herb to grow if you like cooking Central American Dishes. For example Mexican or South American.
It is also known as Mexican spice basil, has a spicy, fragrant aroma and flavor. It can be used not only in pastas & salads but also in cookies, pies and even ice cream.
Typical recipes:
Quick summary
- This type of basil has a spicy, fragrant aroma and flavor. It contains methyl cinnamate, the same chemical that gives cinnamon its flavour.
- It requires six to eight hours of bright sunlight per day. Although it is often grown as an annual, it is a perennial in USDA plant hardiness zones 9-11. Cinnamon basil is sometimes planted near tomatoes and roses to discourage pests such as whiteflies.
- It has somewhat narrow, slightly serrated, dark green, shiny leaves with reddish-purple veins, which can resemble certain types of mint, and produces small, pink flowers from July to September. Its stems are dark purple.
Lovely flavour and well worth growing