Purple Basil is a cultivar of Ocimum basilicum (sweet basil). The dark purple leaves are used in pesto or as a garnish. This attractive basil variety has won multiple awards for its beauty, flavor and ease of cultivation.

Can you cook with amethyst basil?

Amethyst basil info lists it as having the same flavor as a regular sweet basil but the color precludes it from being used cooked or in pesto. Use it fresh to retain the beautiful color.

Is purple basil good for cooking?

Purple Basil It’s not as sweet as other basil varieties, and it has a strong clove flavor. We don’t recommend cooking it, as it turns an unappealing black color when heated, but it’s perfect for use in salads, pesto or any of your other favorite ways to use fresh basil.

Does purple basil taste different?

Purple basil has a striking dark burgundy color that provides excellent contrast in the herb garden. The flavor is not as sweet as some basil varieties with a stronger clove taste. Highly aromatic, purple basil can be steeped in vinegar or oil to add beautiful color to your dishes.

Is purple basil poisonous?

Basil flowers, like the rest of the plant, are considered to be non-toxic to domesticated animals such as dogs, cats and horses under normal circumstances. Basil flowers and leaves do contain plant compounds that can be harmful to their digestive systems when consumed in mass quantities, though.

Can you eat wild purple basil?

These purple basil leaves have a beautiful, coppery glow and clove-like, slightly spicy flavor. Use them in salads or preserved in oils and vinegars.

What grows well with purple basil?

Grow this basil along with tomato plants, as it encourages growth and repels pests of the tomato. Grow it in containers on the deck or near outdoor seating areas to help keep mosquitoes and stinging insects at bay. Store leaves, fresh or dried, for use during the time your plants no longer grow.

How do you keep purple basil purple?

Grow light: if you, like me, live in a country with just a few hours of sunlight during winters, your plant might still survive but very likely will lose its color. If you really want to keep it purple, you can provide those extra hours of light missing (or the whole 8 hours) through a grow light.

Is purple basil the same as Thai basil?

Physically, Thai basil leaves are sturdier, more narrow, and have almost a serrated edge to them. They also have purple stems which is also a good trait to look for if you’re able to find them in a store. The basil that you’re more likely to recognize at the grocery store is most likely Italian sweet basil.

Can you eat purple basil flowers?

Or, you can also sprinkle them on a salad or over pasta to enliven the dish because, yes, basil flowers are edible. They also make great tea! You can expect the blooms to taste similar to the leaves, but with a milder flavor.

Is Purple Basil the same as Thai basil?