We consider basil as the herb that signifies that summer is coming. Although it is only an annual herb, it will serve you all summer long and into autumn too. I also grow extra to dry for over winter, but I never seem to dry enough and am always longing for the basil season to start! Supermarket basil just doesn’t do it for me, and it is laced with chemicals so it can grow all year round; this for me defeats the object of adding healthy herbs into the diet.
Basil was first cultivated in Asia and arrived in Europe through the spice routes. It is widely used in Italy in their cuisine but the Italians, or the Romans to be precise, were the first to realise its healing properties, as well as its culinary uses. Basil likes a sunny spot in the garden; however, we tend to place in either morning sun or afternoon sun as it is left in full sun all day, it does tend to wilt or can grow too quick, bolt and flower. Basil is one of the few herbs that will do well on a sunny windowsill but, again, make sure it’s not baking behind the glass all day and gets a bit of a rest.
Basil is one of the most versatile herbs and is used extensively for culinary purposes. It is of course associated most closely with Italian cuisine; delicious in pasta sauces and salads and it is of course one of the main ingredients in a Caprese Salad. Whilst most Italian recipes call for Genovese or sweet basil, there are over 50 varieties of basil that can be grown in the UK. ‘African Blue’ is a tall woody basil that is great in stir fries, as is ‘Thai’ or ‘Holy’ Basil’, whilst ‘Lemon Basil’ is great for chicken dishes,
Basil is a main ingredient in Salsa Verde, delicious served in a summer soup with sweet potato, barley, and kale, and is also a great addition to bread mixes, infusing amazingly when baked.
Basil also holds its own in the dessert section, delicious with strawberries and pink peppercorns infused together and drizzled over ice cream.
It can also be used in beverages of all kinds. It is a great addition for juices and smoothies, or you can just rip up some leaves and add to your water bottle with a slice of lime. Of course, it complements alcohol well too – perfect with a vodka and soda and also nice when served with gin.
Medicinally, basil contains many vitamins and minerals, and is full of antioxidants such as lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin. Many of its health benefits come from these antioxidants, as well as its essential oils. These compounds mostly disappear during the drying process, so opt for fresh basil, when possible, to gain the most benefits. Sweet basil contains a compound called eugenol, and lime and lemon basils have limonene. These antioxidants, along with others such as anthocyanins and beta-carotene, help to fight free radicals in the body.