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African
Blue Basil
African blue basil has mottled purple-green leaves and
characteristic
powerful scent of licorice and pepper. This is one of the most
cold-tolerant breeds of basil, leading to it being called a perennial,
though in fact all basils are perennial as long as the weather is warm
year-round. It is a sterile hybrid of two other breeds of basil, unable
to produce seeds of its own, and is propagated by cuttings.
Use with vegetables, stews and rice.
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| Did You Know? |
Basil is commonly used
fresh in cooked recipes. It is generally added at the last moment, as
cooking quickly destroys the flavour.
The fresh basil can be kept for a short time in plastic bags in the
refrigerator, or for a longer period in the freezer, after being
blanched quickly in boiling water.
The dried basil also loses most of its flavour, and what little flavour
remains tastes very different, with a weak coumarin flavour, like hay.
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