Basil - The King of Herbs
Ocimum basilicum
The name Basil is derived from the Greek word for king or royal, a nickname and reputation it earns by being the most popular culinary herb! Its popularity spans the globe since basil proves to be a good match for almost any kind of food. Basil is also known as the "tomato sauce herb", because it goes especially well with tomatoes and Italian cuisine. In fact, the main ingredient in Pesto sauce is basil. Unlike many other herbs, it is almost impossible to use too much in your cooking, and it is quite common to sometimes even double the amount called for in your recipe. Try it and you might be pleasantly surprised!
Basil is a tender herb that is typically grown in warm, tropical climates and is native to Asia and Africa, but can be cultivated in many areas around the globe. It is usually used fresh in recipes, generally added at the last moment, as cooking destroys much of the flavour.
