What basils should I try?

ChristinaJo · November 8, 2014

Thinking of trying new basils. I don't like the heavy clove/liquerish flavored ones. I guess I like the sweet,fruity, and citrus ones.
So, what are y'all's favs in the later catagories?

heirloomtomaguy · November 8, 2014

My all time favorite basil is cinnamon basil. It has a spicy fruity basil flavor and is great in pasta and asian cuisine. It takes the place at our house of sweet basil for sure.

KarenO · November 8, 2014

If you like a traditional Genovese basil flavour but in a milder version, consider giving lettuce leaf basil a try. Big crinkly leaves, great production and a mild sweet flavour. Something a little different to try.
KO

kayrobbins · November 9, 2014

I really like lemon basil. It has the lighter flavor but is also slightly citrusy.

peppero · November 9, 2014

I like the genovese and cinnamon varieties and plan to try lemon basil in 2015.

jon

Redbaron · November 9, 2014

Blue spice basil is good. Sort of a 1/2 mint 1/2 basil taste.

shelleybean · November 9, 2014

I agree with Karen on the Lettuce Leaf basil. Excellent all purpose basil with milder flavor and very productive. The plants are a little more compact than the Genovese, as well.

kurt · November 9, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChristinaJo

Thinking of trying new basils. I don't like the heavy clove/liquerish flavored ones. I guess I like the sweet,fruity, and citrus ones.
So, what are y'all's favs in the later catagories?

I have about 10-15 basils here and there in the yard for butterfly and bees.The one that stood out and up is this wierd Green Basil that will not die,it bolts produces pods and pods of long flowers and is now about 4ft high.It has a almost mint/camphor taste that is refreshing to nibble on when outside but is not overpowering.The only basil that seems to fight off leaf miner(blotched)and white flies.It is also called Ram Tulsi and Holy Green Basil from what I gather.

Cole_Robbie · November 9, 2014

Emily is a very nice compact-growing basil. It is great for containers, or companion planting where you don't want it to get too tall.

November 10, 2014

Greek Columnar Basil is my favorite, because it doesn't flower, grows in a tall neat shape and has a wonderful flavor & aroma. I have several rooted cuttings that I am keeping inside for the winter, and if you want some for US Priority postage I could do it. Send me a PM if you are interested.

Sun City Linda · November 10, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoParrott

Greek Columnar Basil is my favorite, because it doesn't flower, grows in a tall neat shape and has a wonderful flavor & aroma. I have several rooted cuttings that I am keeping inside for the winter, and if you want some for US Priority postage I could do it. Send me a PM if you are interested.

I was able to find and purchase Greek Columnar Basil this season after reading about it on TVille. I found it at the Bonnie display at Lowes. And it does root quite easily!

kayrobbins · November 10, 2014

Greek Coumnar is one of my favorites too but I did not mention it because the original post mentioned not liking strong tasting basil and I do consider it pretty strong. I love it because it stands up to heat and humidity. It is producing when my other basil gives up. I have cutting rooted for next season too.

Sun City Linda · November 10, 2014

Greek Columnar seemed like it had a fairly strong, typical basil taste to me also

Tormato · November 10, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChristinaJo

Thinking of trying new basils. I don't like the heavy clove/liquerish flavored ones. I guess I like the sweet,fruity, and citrus ones.
So, what are y'all's favs in the later catagories?

That would mean that Siam Queen is a no go, for you.

November 11, 2014

I don't consider Greek Columner to be strong- just "robust" - delicious to me ! I guess taste is in the mouth of the beholder ?

November 8, 2014	#1
ChristinaJo Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: NE Texas Posts: 425	What basils should I try? Thinking of trying new basils. I don't like the heavy clove/liquerish flavored ones. I guess I like the sweet,fruity, and citrus ones. So, what are y'all's favs in the later catagories?

November 8, 2014	#2
heirloomtomaguy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2013 Location: glendora ca Posts: 2,560	My all time favorite basil is cinnamon basil. It has a spicy fruity basil flavor and is great in pasta and asian cuisine. It takes the place at our house of sweet basil for sure. __________________ “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."

November 9, 2014	#6
Redbaron Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 4,488	Blue spice basil is good. Sort of a 1/2 mint 1/2 basil taste. __________________ Scott AKA The Redbaron "Permaculture is a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature; of protracted & thoughtful observation rather than protracted & thoughtless labour; & of looking at plants & animals in all their functions, rather than treating any area as a single-product system." Bill Mollison co-founder of permaculture

November 9, 2014	#7
shelleybean Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 2,648	I agree with Karen on the Lettuce Leaf basil. Excellent all purpose basil with milder flavor and very productive. The plants are a little more compact than the Genovese, as well. __________________ Michele

November 8, 2014	#3
KarenO Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 5,931	If you like a traditional Genovese basil flavour but in a milder version, consider giving lettuce leaf basil a try. Big crinkly leaves, great production and a mild sweet flavour. Something a little different to try. KO

November 9, 2014	#4
kayrobbins Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Jacksonville, Fl Posts: 820	I really like lemon basil. It has the lighter flavor but is also slightly citrusy.

November 9, 2014	#5
peppero Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: selmer, tn Posts: 2,944	I like the genovese and cinnamon varieties and plan to try lemon basil in 2015. jon

November 9, 2014	#9
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	Emily is a very nice compact-growing basil. It is great for containers, or companion planting where you don't want it to get too tall.

November 10, 2014	#10
JoParrott Guest Posts: n/a	Greek Columnar Basil is my favorite, because it doesn't flower, grows in a tall neat shape and has a wonderful flavor & aroma. I have several rooted cuttings that I am keeping inside for the winter, and if you want some for US Priority postage I could do it. Send me a PM if you are interested.

November 10, 2014	#13
Sun City Linda Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SoCal Inland Posts: 2,705	Greek Columnar seemed like it had a fairly strong, typical basil taste to me also

November 11, 2014	#15
JoParrott Guest Posts: n/a	I don't consider Greek Columner to be strong- just "robust" - delicious to me ! I guess taste is in the mouth of the beholder ?