Basil: More Than Spaghetti Spice
The International Herb Society has chosen basil as the Herb of the Year.
Basil, the king of summer garden, is an herb for all seasons. It stands out from the rest. With its wide degree of scents, tastes, and textures, it works well in the kitchen as a culinary herb. Basil leaves and flowers are used as a finishing touch on the last few minutes of cooking. The herb yields aromatic oil used in foods, flavors, and fragrances. It comes in various types: sweet, purple, opal, lemon, anise, holy, camphor, licorice, and in other types of something excitingly different as usual. Besides food, trendy soaps, perfumes, and shampoos are now laced with basil essence. Basil is also used as medicinal.