Basil

(Ocimum gratisimum) Wonderful flavor, the best for pesto! A gigantic and sumptuous basil that is popular in African and Asian cuisines. This amazing plant has incredible flavor, a rich basil taste, with oregano flavor, and a small kick of delicious spiciness! It is wonderful in salads, soups, pastas, vinegars, jellies and killer pestos! We adore this wonderful variety also for its health properties! Popular in traditional medicine, it was clinically evaluated for its antibacterial properties and was found to possess impressive antibiotic qualities. Our strain of this flavorsome plant comes from Ghana, an epicenter of basil genetics. We thank our grower Solomon Amuzu of Ghana.

(Ocimum basilicum) One of our favorite new arrivals in the Baker Creek trial gardens! This plant is a native herb that originated in Ghana West Africa, where it’s been used in many dishes and medicinal preparations for hundreds of years. This is one of the most common plants seen in every home of the Ghanaian people because of its numerous uses. This variety from Ghana is named Akoko Mesa because it is used for preparing poultry. The name Akoko Mesa means “chicken dance”.

A flavorful, citrusy variety that is perhaps the most tender and aromatic basil we’ve tried! This fast growing, heat-tolerant basil provides lemony orange-flavored foliage all summer long. The leaves are smooth in texture, and even the stem is tender enough for raw eating in salad. A popular Chinese variety perfect for Asian and fusion cooking! This delcious herb is hard to find in America.

Spicy flavor. Mexican variety with a light cinnamon & anise taste. This delicious basil is great for salads, desserts and Mexican food.

68 days. The famous Italian heirloom is very popular with many cooks. Rich flavor in pesto! So healthy, with huge amounts of vitamin A!

Amazing size and flavor! Huge 6” leaves that are not only great in size, but also a behemoth in nutrition with huge amounts of vitamin A and more! Great for gallons of pesto, fragrant salads and perfect for making delicious “Lettuce Leaf Basil Wraps”. Productive and beautiful.

A unique lime-flavored basil from Thailand. Popular variety for fresh market! Wonderful for so many different dishes and drinks.

Really interesting and flavorful! Known as Reyhan throughout the varied nations of southwestern Asia. Has a distinctive aroma, both lemony and spice-like. This variety is so fragrant and nutritious, with more calcium than any other basil we tested. Perfect for soups, salads, rice dishes & flavorful tea.

OUR FAVORITE! Popular sweet, spicy basil that is essential in Thai cuisine. Very flavorful with a nice licorice taste. Amazing taste of Thailand! This plant is not only a culinary favorite, but also known for its medicinal value. It is also great source of calcium and vitamins. Don’t make a pot of curry without it!