Lemon basil is a hybrid between basil and African basil. It is primarily grown in northeastern Africa and southern Asia. However, North Shore Living® utilizes the latest European greenhouse technology, enabling us to make it available to you year-round. Lemon basil is known for its distinct lemon aroma that is especially pungent once it is minced or cooked.
Taste and Uses
Lemon basil is mild enough to flavor grilled fish or shrimp and can be substituted for basil if you are looking for a fresh twist of flavor. Finely chop and add it to pasta with julienne vegetables and a flavorful extra virgin olive oil for a light and delicious meal. Cooking with lemon basil is fun and easy, as there are no rules—just add to any of your favorite recipes. Lemon basil is often used in Indonesian and Thai Cuisines.
Lemon basil should be used fresh and added during the last moments of cooking. Overcooking basil is not recommended as heat quickly dissipates the flavor. To use North Shore Living® Lemon Basil snip the amount you need from the root ball then wash and pat dry. Incorporate the whole leaf or mince finely with a sharp kitchen knife, depending on your recipe. When substituting fresh herbs in a recipe calling for dry, one part dry is equal to three parts North Shore Living®. Try one of our recipes or simply pair it with some of the ingredients suggested below:
- Vegetables: zucchini, corn, bell pepper, tomato, green beans, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, eggplant, squash, spinach, artichoke, fennel, onion, potato
- Seafood: lobster, shrimp, crab, red snapper, salmon (fresh and smoked), grouper, tuna
- Meat and Poultry: chicken, turkey, beef, veal, lamb, sausage
- Soups and Sauces: corn chowder, tomato, minestrone, vegetable soup, béchamel
- Dairy: egg dishes, ricotta, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, bleu cheese, goat cheese
- Legumes and Grains: tabbouleh, polenta, cannellini beans, rice (all varieties), couscous, all pasta
- Fruit and Dessert: watermelon, pineapple, cantaloupe, honeydew, apple, peach, nectarine, pear, figs, lemon, lime
- Herbs and Seasoning: mint, oregano, chili, garlic, chives, ginger, capers, curry, coconut milk
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FAQs
Taste and Uses
What are the benefits of basil leaves with lemon? ›
Health benefits
Lemon basil has moderate levels of beta-carotene and high levels of vitamin K, which are renowned for their anti-inflammatory properties. Vitamin K in Lemon Basil is essential for the production of clotting factors in the blood and plays a vital role in the bone strengthening and mineralization.
Can you eat lemon basil raw? ›
It is often eaten raw with salad or lalap (raw vegetables) and accompanied by sambal. Lemon basil is often used to season certain Indonesian dishes, such as curries, soup, stew and steamed or grilled dishes.
What is the difference between lemon basil and regular basil? ›
Lemon Basil is a tender annual and is shorter and has smaller leaves than regular Basil. It prefers sunny locations and rich soil. Appreciates afternoon shade in hot, southern climates. Can be grown in containers indoors as well as outside.
Does lemon basil need full sun? ›
Lemon basil plants must have full sun in a raised bed, planter, or other site with warm soil. Southern gardeners can plant seeds directly out into a prepared bed. Expect germination in 8 to 14 days. The plants tend to be leggy and spindly, but pinching them back when young can help them bush out.
What is Lemon Basil used for in cooking? ›
Lemon basil is mild enough to flavor grilled fish or shrimp and can be substituted for basil if you are looking for a fresh twist of flavor. Finely chop and add it to pasta with julienne vegetables and a flavorful extra virgin olive oil for a light and delicious meal.
When should you not eat basil leaves? ›
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Basil is LIKELY SAFE for pregnant and breast-feeding women in food amounts. But larger medicinal amounts are POSSIBLY UNSAFE. Basil contains a chemical, estragole, which has caused liver cancer in laboratory mice. Children: Basil is LIKELY SAFE for children in food amounts.
What part of lemon basil is edible? ›
The leaves and flowers of lemon basil are delightful additions to many summer foods.
Is lemon basil good for hair? ›
In conclusion, while basil seeds and lemon water can contribute to overall health, relying solely on them for significant hair growth benefits may not yield the desired results. A holistic approach to hair care, including a nutrient-rich diet and proper hair care practices, is key to supporting optimal hair health.
How many basil leaves can I eat daily? ›
The amount of basil leaves you can take daily depends on if you are eating it as a healthy addition to your food or as a medicine. For medicinal purposes, you can eat up to 1800mg of basil leaves daily and for daily use, you can consume up to 2000 mg of leaves daily.
Holy basil
This variety, known as "the queen of herbs," is native to India and used more for medicinal purposes than culinary ones. The leaves have a peppery flavor and are believed to reduce pain and inflammation and lower blood sugar.
Does lemon basil come back every year? ›
In cooler climates where frost occurs, culinary basils are grown as annual plants and don't survive the winter. However, basil self-seeds if you allow the plants to flower. Wild basil (Clinopodium vulgare) is a cold-tolerant plant that can survive in climates as chilly as Zone 4.
What type of basil is best for cooking? ›
Thai Basil
The leaves are smaller and pointier, and the plant produces beautiful purple flowers. This type of basil holds up well to high-temperature cooking, so don't be afraid to add it to your favorite stir-fry recipe.
Should you let lemon basil flower? ›
Once you let your basil flower, the leaves turn somewhat bitter and will produce no more; it wants to make seed. So the idea is to keep it going so you can get maximum harvest yields until September or October, depending upon your growing season and then let it flower for the pollinators.
How often should I water lemon basil? ›
How often to water your Lemon Basil. Lemon Basil needs 0.8 cups of water every 9 days when it doesn't get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5.0" pot. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
How do you store lemon basil? ›
Tips for Storing Basil
Avoid storing fresh basil in the fridge. Instead, keep it on the counter at room temperature. Avoid getting the leaves wet—they can turn black and spoil faster. Change the storage water frequently so it stays as fresh as possible.
Is lemon and basil water good for you? ›
Basil comes with some many heath benefits like improving digestion, detoxing and more. Lemon has also been shown to decrease cancer cells so we could all use more lemon in our life. You'll be doing a lot more good than just hydrating yourself when you drink this Basil Lemonade.
What does basil leaves do to the body? ›
The eugenol in basil can block calcium channels, which may help to lower blood pressure. Its essential oils can help lower your cholesterol and triglycerides. Basil also contains magnesium, which can help improve your blood flow by allowing your muscles and blood vessels to relax. Reduced inflammation.
Is it good to drink basil water everyday? ›
Tulsi, also known as holy basil, is a revered herb in ayurveda, an ancient system of medicine that originated in India. Drinking tulsi water every day is believed to offer several advantages, ranging from physical to mental well-being.
Does basil clean the liver? ›
Basil is a rich source of flavonoids, and the hepatoprotective effect of O. basilicum may be attributed to the antioxidant activity of its flavonoids [4], so the liver of rats from the group treated with aqueous basil extract showed normal liver.
