What Is Thai Basil?
Although you’re probably most familiar with sweet basil (also called Italian sweet basil), it is estimated that there are over 100 varieties of basil, with some cultivated for more than 5,000 years. All types of basil are members of the mint family.
Thai basil is of Southeast Asian origin, and is a common ingredient among the cuisines of this region. It has a slightly spicy, licorice-like flavor. In terms of appearance, Thai basil has a purple stem and small, sturdy leaves with serrated edges.
So, how does Thai basil stand up against the more familiar Italian sweet basil? At a glance, the most distinguishable difference is the color of the stems: Thai basil has a purple stem and sweet basil has a green stem. And unlike the delicate, floppy leaves you find on sweet basil, Thai basil leaves are much sturdier, meaning they’ll hold up better during cooking (sweet basil leaves are usually added fresh, after the rest of the dish has been cooked). Thai basil leaves are also smaller and more narrow than large, circular sweet basil leaves.