Thai basil
Anise-scented cooking leaf
Thai basil is a variety of basil used in Southeast Asian cooking, distinguished by its purple stems, pointed leaves, and anise-like flavor.
Unlike sweet basil, it holds up well to high heat, making it ideal for stir-fries and curries: Pad krapao calls for Thai basil.
The flavor is more assertive than Mediterranean varieties—peppery with hints of licorice.
Informal fake spelling
- green curryThai coconut chili dish
- red currySpicy Thai coconut stew
- stir-fryQuick-cook in hot oil
- drunken noodlesSpicy Thai basil stir-fry
tom yum · spring rolls · banh mi · satay · papaya salad · coconut milk · fish sauce · lemongrass
Licorice-flavored seed plant
- licoriceAnise-flavored confection
- pepperyHaving sharp, hot flavor
- mintyHaving cool herbal flavor
- sweetTasting of sugar
spicy · clove · complex · bright · fresh · bold · assertive · cooling
Licorice-flavored seed plant
- licoriceAnise-flavored confection
- cloveDried flower bud spice
- pepperyHaving sharp, hot flavor
- fragrancePleasing olfactory quality
scent · aroma · pungent · perfumed · essential oil · volatile · bouquet · sweet
pho
Informal fake spelling
- green curryThai coconut chili dish
- red currySpicy Thai coconut stew
- stir-fryQuick-cook in hot oil
drunken noodles · tom yum · spring rolls · banh mi · satay · papaya salad · coconut milk · fish sauce · lemongrass · galangal
anise
Licorice-flavored seed plant
sweet · spicy · clove · complex · bright · fresh · bold · assertive · cooling · warm
anise
Licorice-flavored seed plant
fragrance · scent · aroma · pungent · perfumed · essential oil · volatile · bouquet · sweet · distinctive
serrated leaves
Foliage with pointed margins
propagation · cutting · seeds · container · harvest · pinching · bolting · cultivation · garden · windowsill
- ThailandBangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, baht, elephants
- herbsdill, chives, marjoram, tarragon, rosemary
- Asian herbslemongrass, galangal, pandan, cilantro, coriander
- Asian ingredientssoy, fish sauce, sesame paste, miso, oyster sauce
- Asian producebok choy, napa cabbage, daikon, shiitake, water chestnut
- basil
Thai basilsweet basil
Fragrant culinary leaf
herbes de Provence · oregano · rosemary · thyme · sage