I definitely prefer thai basil over a basic italian sweet basil. Unlike the sweet basil, thai basil has purple flower buds which are surprisingly edible. Between the bright green leaves and purple flowers, an anise aroma appears to compliment the obvious sweetness of the basil and adds a definite oomph to any dish! Thai basil, also known as holy basil is used in Thai, Vietnamese, Laotian cuisine, specifically curry and seafood dishes. Personally, I replace sweet basil with thai basil in classic dishes like a marinara sauce and grilled chicken with lemon and basil. I have never seen thai basil in grocery stores, I grab mine every Wednesday at the Civic Center Farmer’s Market in San Francisco!
Civic Center Farmer’s Market is on Market between 7th & 8th Ave. If you go around 3 almost everything becomes a dollar!
Wednesday: 7am-5:30pm
Sunday: 7am-5:00pm
