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Asian Thai Basil

Asian Thai Basil

$5.00 USD
$5.00 USD
Sale Sold out
Tax included.
1/4 Pound

Description/Taste

Thai Basil is a perennial herb that grows to an average of 30 to 45 centimeters in height and spreads about 30 centimeters wide. The narrow, bright-green leaves have serrated edges and are typically smaller and sturdier than those of common sweet basil. They also boast a fresh and spicy fragrance and sometimes have a slight purple tint. When the plant matures, spikes of lavender to dark-violet flowers grow at the tops of the reddish-purple stems. Thai Basil leaves, flowers, and stems are all edible and offer a bold flavor with spicy-sweet notes of anise and black licorice.

Seasons/Availability

Thai Basil is available year-round.

Current Facts

Thai Basil is botanically classified as Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora and is a member of the mint family. It’s not just a single plant but rather one of three common groupings of basil cultivars: Thai, sweet, and holy basil. Thai Basil plants are cultivated Asian varieties of sweet basil known for their spicier flavor and ability to withstand high cooking temperatures. While many types of Thai Basil are grown worldwide, the most popularly cultivated is Siam Queen, known for its larger leaves and distinct black licorice flavor. Despite belonging to separate species, Thai Basil is often mistaken for holy basil, also referred to as Thai holy basil. Thai Basil offers a more robust, sweet yet spicy anise-like flavor, while holy basil has a more peppery clove-like taste. Another case of mistaken identity stems from the flavor of Thai Basil, which has led to the nickname Licorice Basil. However, that’s not to be conflated with a variety called licorice or Persian basil, a type of sweet basil with a similar licorice-like flavor.

Nutritional Value

Thai Basil has notably high levels of vitamin A, which is beneficial for healthy eyes and skin, and vitamin K, which promotes bone health. It also offers significant amounts of vitamin C, magnesium, calcium, iron, and potassium. The seeds are edible, and they pack a nutritional punch of magnesium, calcium, and fiber. Basil is known for its essential oil, which includes compounds like eugenol and limonene that possess antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.

Applications

Thai Basil is most often used fresh or cooked and is a popular ingredient in Southeast Asian cuisines like Thai, Cambodian, Lao, and Vietnamese. Unlike sweet basil, Thai Basil has sturdy and resilient leaves that stand up to prolonged heat and cooking. Hence, it's well-suited for infusing flavor into broths and soups, from traditional Vietnamese Pho to Thai green or Panang curries. While sweet basil may be used as a substitute in some recipes, Thai Basil is worth seeking out for more traditional dishes that highlight the spicy flavor and sturdy texture, such as Vietnamese spring rolls. Vice versa, Thai Basil may be used in place of common sweet basil to impart a bolder herb flavor with a licorice kick. Thai Basil works equally well in simmered dishes, like Taiwanese braised eggplant, high-heat wok stir-fries, and noodle dishes like pad Thai. It pairs well with chicken, beef, shrimp, tofu, eggplant, potato, bell pepper, tomato, eggs, rice, garlic, chili, oregano, mint, lemongrass, and coconut milk. Fresh Thai Basil leaves can even be used as a garnish and aromatic in cocktails and beverages like lemonade or used in sweet applications like fruit salads, pairing well with mango, pineapple, watermelon, lemon, figs, and stone fruit. As all parts of the plant are edible, try adding the flowers to salads, chopping the stems into rice, or soaking the seeds, similar to chia seeds, to use in pudding, smoothies, or desserts. Store fresh Thai Basil in a glass of water at room temperature after cutting the ends of the stems, like you would a bouquet of flowers, or wrap in a paper cloth and stored in a bag in the refrigerator for a week or two. Thai Basil can also be dried or frozen to prolong its use.

Ethnic/Cultural Info

Thai Basil is a kitchen staple in Southeast Asian countries like Thailand and Vietnam, where it is often regarded as a vegetable rather than simply an herb or garnish. In Thailand, Thai Basil is called Bai Horapa, and in Vietnam, it is known as Rau Hung Que, which translates as “cinnamon mint.” Thai Basil stars in pad gra prow, a Thai stir-fry beef dish, and gai pad nam prik pao, a famous Thai dish made with chicken and roasted chili paste. Thai Basil is also often served with larb, a minced meat salad that’s one of the most popular dishes of Laos.

Geography/History

Thai Basil is native to Southeast Asia, though its exact origin is somewhat debated since its history of cultivation dates back approximately 5,000 years. Many believe that it originated in either India or Asia and spread to the Mediterranean via ancient spice routes, however some experts now think it might originally have come from Iran. Today, basil is commonly grown in Italy, France, Egypt, Morocco, California, and other warm climates worldwide. Thai Basil can be grown at home or found at specialty stores and Asian markets.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I use Irish Moss Gel?

There are many ways to use Irish Moss Gel and the Best way is to add it into your Smoothies, Juices, & Teas!

-Gel can be applied to the face and used as a Detox Mask.

-Mix it with your Shampoo and Was your hair

- Mix it into ANY Meal adding it to Oatmeal, Pasta Sauce, Soups, Stews, and Salad Dressings.

-Just Eat it right Out the Jar

How Much Irish Moss should I take a day?

The recommended dose for Irish Moss is 1,000 - 2,000 mg daily. Start off with taking a 1/2 Tbsp every day and work your way up to 1 full Tbsp when ready. If you have a thyroid conditon please Consult with your Doctor before taking this product.

Where is your Seaweed harvested from?

Our Seaweed is Hand Picked, Wild Harvested from the coast of County Claire Ireland, right along the Wild Atlantic Way.

What is the difference between Irish Moss & Sea Moss?

There are currently 6,793 Species of Seaweed that have been identified. We harvest the species Chondrus crispus amongst other delicacies from the Cold waters off of Ireland's coast. Sea Moss, is normally harvested off the coast of the warm waters of the Caribbean and is a different species known as Eucheuma cottoni. Seamoss is a slang term for Seaweed and could also come from Africa, Asia, North America and anywhere else that has a rocky coast line.

What is the Shelf Life of Raw Irish Moss?

Dry - 2 years

Gel - 7 to 10 days

Frozen Gel - 90 days

How can Irish Moss benefit Me?

From a nutritional point of view, we should be considering the Irish Moss as the superfood of the ocean. It contains an exceptional level of minerals, proteins, dietary fibre, electrolytes and vitamins, as well as being very low in calories- making it a very tasty way to nourish your mental and physical health.

The micronutrients and electrolytes in seaweed are bioavailable, in a form that human cells need to mesh with their metabolisms.

Integrating Irish Moss into your diet has long-term benefits for your overall health such as regulating metabolism, cleansing of your blood, calming your digestive tract, boosting your dopamine levels, and supporting your immune system.

Questions about Your Order

How long does Processing, Preparing, Packaging, and Shipping take?

1-2 Days for Processing, Preparing, Packaging your order.

We offer Priority Mail which is 2-3 days wait time and Express Mail which is 1-2 days wait time.

How do you control Quality when shipping Orders?

We box each order with its specified Quality Assured packaging. Cold items are shipped with Ice Packs and Package Peanuts for the Quality, Safety and Temperature Control of your Order. All orders are sealed, packed and reviewed for QA purposes.

Do you offer Delivery or Pick Up?

Yes, if you are in the Jacksonville area, we offer Curbside Pick up @ our location on Beach Blvd. Just select Pick Up at Checkout and We will communicate When your order is Ready

Our delivery radius is only 5 miles out but we can service You via DoorDash & GrubHub for All other Delivery Requests.

Hours of Operation

Mon - Friday

Online Orders Only!

Saturday & Sunday

10am - 5pm