Star anise is different from anise seed, though the two do share many flavor notes in common; in particular, they share licorice notes. Those licorice notes are what you want from Thai basil. Star anise comes from an evergreen tree native to parts of Vietnam and China.
What can I substitute for Thai basil?
In a pinch, you can substitute sweet basil for Thai basil.
What can you substitute for holy basil?
Fennel is not a mint, but it does offer a mild licorice flavor that can make it an effective substitute for holy basil. Fennel is often used as a vegetable rather than purely for flavoring dishes, which means that it can be an effective holy basil replacement in stir fries.
Can you use regular basil for Thai basil?
You can use sweet basil in all dishes that require Thai basil without losing much. When using sweet basil in place of Thai basil, you may be able to replicate this intensity by using a little more of the herb than your recipe requires for Thai basil.
Whats the difference between basil and Thai basil?
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. … While Thai basil presents stronger licorice flavor, holy basil has a more peppery, clove flavor.
How do you take care of Thai basil?
Thai basil plants need at least six hours of direct sunlight to flourish. Water weekly but keep the water off the leaves; water from the base. Over-watering will cause the leaves to yellow and drop, and under-watering will make flowers and buds suffer, so it is important to attain a balance when watering Thai basil.
How do I use Thai basil?
Thai basil is wonderful eaten raw, slivered, and added to salads, both your plain old cucumber-tomato salad or something meaty like northern Thai larb. But its hardy leaves stand up especially well to cooking—their flavor infuses readily into food and the leaves don’t wilt quite as much as Italian sweet basil’s would.
Is Tulsi same as Thai basil?
It is also known as Thai holy basil or by its Indian name, tulasi or tulsi; it is widely used in India for culinary, medicinal, and religious purposes.
Can I use Tulsi instead of basil in pasta?
Since both Tulsi and Thai holy basil (Kaphrao) is actually the same species, eventhough there might be some diffrences in under level, there may be no other better a substitute than it. However, Food can be adapted.
What are the health benefits of Thai basil?
Research shows that Thai Basil is high in antioxidants, anti-cancer, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties, which is why it has been used in traditional healing since centuries ago. Aside from ingesting Thai Basil, you can also bruise the leaves and inhale its aroma to relieve stress.
Can you freeze Thai basil?
You can freeze Thai basil for around 6 months. People freeze Thai basil, as well as other herbs, in a variety of ways. Blanching isn’t essential but can help it to retain some of its colour and flavour. The other option is to use an ice cube tray.
Which is better Thai basil or sweet basil?
It’s got a shinier finish and has much more round leaves that tend to be a little more floppy and delicate. In terms of taste, Thai basil smells like anise and has a more licorice smell with a slightly spicy taste. Sweet basil has the classic aroma that reminds you of pesto and has more of a clove like.
Can we eat basil leaves Raw?
The leaves are also commonly used in cooking, though some people eat the leaves raw. Holy basil tastes spicy and bitter. There are many ways to incorporate holy basil into your daily life. You can cook with it, take it in supplement form, or make a tea with it.
Can you use Thai basil in Italian food?
What is Thai basil, and can you use Italian basil in its place? … Italian basil is an acceptable substitute in dishes with many other strong flavors, such as our Three-Cup Chicken, but Thai basil is worth seeking out for dishes such as Vietnamese spring rolls, where spicy flavor and sturdy texture are key elements.