06/15/2026
What do you know about basil? …other than you love it, am I right?!! Basil is definitely my favorite herb.
Did you know there’s at least 60 identified varieties?? …I didn’t either.. 😳🤯🤷♀️
Our favorites are: Genovese and Thai. Last year we grew Genovese, Thai, Sweet, and cinnamon. This year we added Lime, Spice Boys Globe, and Dark Opal.
Lime Basil is now my favorite! …but I love everything related to citrus flavors and scents. Lime Basil has a distinct citrus-scent and has a bright, tangy lime aroma and crisp, zesty flavor. It contains high levels of the organic compound limonene, which gives it an authentic citrus punch rather than a licorice or clove aftertaste. I like it best on a turkey sandwich.
Thai Basil Southeast Asian variety celebrated for its bold licorice flavor and ability to hold its shape and aroma under high cooking temperatures. Unlike European sweet basils, it delivers a savory, spicy, and distinctly anise-like punch that defines many classic Thai and Vietnamese dishes…. It’s amazing!
Spice Boys Globe Basil is a dwarf heirloom variety celebrated for its perfectly uniform, round shape and intensely flavorful, miniature leaves. It naturally shapes itself into a compact green sphere without requiring any pruning or trimming. I think it’d be great as a border bush to frame a garden bed. If you love basil but maybe not too much basil, this is the one for you because of its small leaves.
Dark Opal Basil has glossy, nearly black or solid violet leaves on dark, sturdy stems.
While it has the baseline sweetness of standard Italian basil, it is much more savory and complex. It carries heavy, warm undertones of clove, ginger, cinnamon, and mint, with a very subtle anise (licorice) finish. Dang, it’s good!!
Come get some of these basils for your next Italian dishes!
