All About Basil!
Basil is a herb commonly used in cooking, especially in Italian cuisine as well as dished from Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand. The leaves have a taste similiar to anise and have a sweet, pungent smell. Most basils are annuals however some such as the Holy Thai basil originate in warm, tropical and grow as perennials.
There are many varieties of basil. In italian cuisine, the most common type of basil used is sweet basil. In Asia it is Thai basil, lemon basil, or holy basil which is most commonly used.
Basil is often added fresh to cooked recipes. Because basil loses much of its flavor through cooking, it is added at the end of the preparation. Fresh basil can keep for a short time in a refridgerator or be dried to be stored for a longer period of time. Dried basil tasts much different than fresh basil as it loses much of its strong taste as it dries.
Basil generally grows beween 3 and 15 inches tall and has light green leaves which grow several inches long. Basil flowers are white in color and are small. Basil grows best in dry, hot conditions and does not handle cold temperatures well and grows best in strong sunlight. While basil grows best outdoors, it fares well inside, even with fluorescent lights. Basil plants will die during a frost.
There are many cultural beliefs associationed with the basil plant. It is a symbol for love in Italy, is called "l'herbe royale" (royal grass) in France, and represented hatred in ancient Greece. Basil has significant religious connotations and is especially revered in Hinduism. In the Greek Orthodox Church as well as several other european orthodox churches it is used in the preparation of holy water. Ancient Greeks and Egyptians believed it would open the gates of the afterlife for those who are dying.