Different types of Basil

Basil is a key ingredient in many recipes, but the different types of basil will have completely different flavours.

Follow the links below for details on the main types, or further down the page for quick summary & recipe examples.

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The different types of basil

There are many, many different types of basil. But the key ones to consider are:

Genovese Basil – Ideal for Italian, French or Greek recipes.
Tulasi or Holy Basil – Ideal to grow if you like cooking spicy Thai dishes.
Lemon Basil – Ideal for South Asian or North East African Dishes.
Thai Basil – Ideal for Thai, Laos or Vietnamese Recipes
Cinnamon Basil – Ideal for Mexican or South American recipes

Taking them in turn:

Sweet or Genovese Basil

Cooking Mediterranean or European Dishes ? For example Italian, French or Greek.

If you buy this herb in a shop in the UK then you will most likely get either sweet or genovese basil. However, even these 2 European varieties are different. Where the sweet one has a flavor tasting a bit like a blend of licorice and cloves with a hint of mint. Whereas the Genovese one has a stronger flavour preferred by chefs – a bit like a combination of aniseed and cloves.

So if your recipes require a subtle flavour grow sweet variety at home. On the other hand if you prefer a stronger flavour (ideal for either Italian or dishes containing tomatoes) grow the genovese one at home.

Typical recipes:

Cinnamon or Mexican Basil

Cooking Central American Dishes? -For example Mexican or South American

The cinnamon option 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:

Thai Basil

Cooking Asian Dishes ? For example Thai, Laos or Vietnamese…

Then the Thai one has to be a must – in addition it is ideal to grow indoors, because as a tropical plant it needs warm temperatures and is not frost resistant.

The reason it’s so good for asian dishes is that it has the same flavours as standard option but in addition has a strong licorice and anise flavour that gives foods like curries and soups a unique aroma.

Typical recipes:

Lemon Basil

Cooking South Asian or North East African Dishes ? For example Indonesian, Philippine or Arabic…

Then the unique flavour of lemon is a must. In addition a key benefit is that it can be used in many different ways – for example eaten raw with a salad, used to season many cooked dishes or even used in sweet desserts.

Typical recipes:

IIndonesian Eggs with Spicy Sauce (Telur Bumbu Kemangi)
Manipuri Lemon Fritters (See video below)
Nam Ya Pork Curry with Khanom Chin

Tulasi or Holy Basil

Cooking spicy Thai dishes?

Then you should grow Red Holy Basil. Although sometimes confused with Thai Basil (see above) this variety is completely different and has such a peppery flavour that it is often referred to as ‘hot basil’.

Please note that white holy basil is again slightly different, and often used for seafood dishes.

Typical recipes: