Thai basil

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Thai basil
Early season Thai basil
Species
O. basilicum var. thyrsiflora
Cultivar group
Thai basil

Thai basil is a cultivar group of basil. It has a more assertive taste than many other sweet basils. The herb has small leaves, purple stems and a subtle licorice or mint flavor. One cultivar used in the United States is 'Queen of Siam'. It is often confused with Holy basil which has a smaller, slightly hairy leaves and an aroma akin to that of cloves.

There are three types of basil commonly used in Thai cooking, however this page refers to the most common one, which is known as horapa (Thai: โหระพา) in Thai.

[edit] Culinary uses

Thai basil is used as a condiment in Thai and Vietnamese dishes, phở.

[edit] See also

List of basil cultivars

Late summer Thai basil flowers

Midsummer Thai basil with flowers

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