All varieties of basil differ in leaf color, bush height, aroma and taste. Each type and variety of basil has different care requirements. You can grow it in open beds, in a greenhouse and even at home. Some varieties are intended for marinades and sauces, others are added during the preparation of hot dishes, salads and soups; you can choose a type suitable for baking.
Classification by color
The main indicator by which varieties are distinguished is color.The two most basic colors of stems and leaves are purple and green. After them, breeders began to develop varieties of basil with other shades.
The difference between a green and purple plant is not only the color of the green mass.
The delicate taste of green leaves allows them to be used when preparing desserts. The purple group of plants is not suitable in this case. Purple basil greens are best added to dishes with meat and fish, soups, and marinades. The purple mass gives food an islandy, rich taste.
Basil with green leaves has a pleasant, subtle, delicate aroma. Many varieties are used to make refreshing drinks. Purple varieties are characterized by a strong, pungent odor.
Green
A spicy plant with green leaves is characterized by a special, delicate aroma and delicate taste. The color of the leaves can be dark or light green. Used during the preparation of various dishes.
Description of the basil variety Green fragrant. After sowing, seedlings appear quickly and uniformly. The bushes grow up to 42 cm and branch well. The leaves are large, smooth, bright green in color with a pleasant spicy aroma.
The Thai Queen basil has a beautiful bush that will decorate any summer cottage. The height of the branched bushes reaches 50 cm in height. The leaves are large, elongated, dark green. It blooms beautifully with the formation of large inflorescences of purple flowers. The plant blooms for up to two months.
Tonus basil has average ripening limits; flowering begins 74 days after sowing. The height of the bush is up to 58 cm. The leaves are not very large, light green in color with a pleasant, spicy taste and delicate aroma.
The decorative basil variety Basilisk can be grown both in open beds and at home. Leaves can be cut as early as two months after planting. The stem grows no more than 20 cm. There are many smooth leaves, all of them are small in size, dark green in color with a clove-pepper aroma.
The Caramel basil variety is characterized by a strong fruity-caramel aroma. Ripeness occurs after 32 days. The plant is highly resistant to diseases and pests, loves moisture, light and does not develop well in the presence of drafts. The leaves are large, juicy, dark green. Can be consumed fresh, as well as as a spicy addition to many dishes.
Basil Lemon has a fresh, pleasant taste and aroma. Greens begin to be harvested 42 days after germination. On a bush 32 cm high, many leaves with jagged edges of light green color and medium size are formed. The plant can be added to desserts, salads, and refreshing drinks.
Early ripening varieties of basil include Russian giant green. The variety is included in the State Register of the Russian Federation for cultivation on a personal plot. Two months pass from the first mass shoots to ripeness. Large green leaves have a pleasant, sweet, clove flavor and a delicate, spicy aroma. Stem height 58 cm.
The Greek basil variety is distinguished by its compact size. It grows no more than 15 cm in height. 60 days pass from the appearance of the first shoots to maturity. The leaves are small, light green in color. The taste of the green mass is sweetish with a pleasant spicy, rich aroma.
Violet
Purple basil leaves are rich in essential oils. They have a rich taste and strong aroma.The above-ground part of the plant retains its taste in fresh and dried form. The color of the bush can be dark or light purple.
The Thai herb variety is distinguished by a neat bush with dark burgundy purple leaves. The edges of the smooth leaves are serrated. The plant gives the dish a spicy aroma with a hint of cinnamon. The spice serves as an excellent addition to pickles, marinades, salads, and meat dishes.
The Opal basil variety is distinguished by a bush up to 62 cm high. Numerous, large leaves, dark purple in color with a purple tint and a pepper-clove aroma. During the flowering period, crimson flowers appear.
The fragrant variety Ararat is characterized by a large number of medium-sized leaves, dark lilac in color. Early ripening limits allow you to cut the greens after three weeks. The height of the bush is 55 cm. The herb can be used fresh, dried, or added to various dishes.
The Yerevan variety is widely used in cooking. The leaves are distinguished by a bright purple color with a red tint and a pleasant aroma of tea with notes of allspice. During the flowering period, bright pink flowers appear on the bush.
The height of the basil bush of the Pepper Aroma variety is 57 cm. The leaves have a reddish-purple color. The plant contains many essential oils, vitamins and minerals. You can cut the leaves for consumption after three weeks.
Vanilla basil is an annual plant with strong stems and large dark purple leaves. The leaflets are serrated along the edges. The height of the bush is no more than 40 cm. The taste of the herb is unusual; the leaves are even added to dishes with fruit.
Red
Red basil is an annual, aromatic herb that is added to marinades, salads, and dried and added to a variety of meat and fish dishes, as well as sandwiches. Depending on the variety, the red-purple leaves may have a greenish or purple tint.
Varieties by aroma
There is another classification of herb varieties, which differ in aroma. Each variety is characterized by its own aroma, suitable for a particular culinary dish.
Lemon basil has a distinctive aroma that resembles the smell of lemon balm, lemon or camphor. The plant is not tall, the height of the bush is 32 cm, the leaves are medium sized, light green in color. Due to the special lemon aromatic taste and smell, the leaves and stems are added to juices, ice cream, and also during the preparation of soups and hot dishes.
A spicy annual species, Clove basil produces oblong, toothed, light green leaves with a rich clove aroma. The stem of the bush can stretch up to 57 cm in height. The plant is used to decorate a summer cottage, and the leaves replace cloves in marinades and sauces.
Clove-pepper varieties (Basilisk, Marquis, Fantaser) combine the taste and aroma of cloves and allspice. Spicy herb is often used in cooking.
The peppery type of spicy herb is characterized by an island-sweet aroma. Some herbs in this group have a subtle aroma, while others have a distinct, rich peppery smell. Popular varieties include: Rosie, Pepper, Aramis, Osmin, Magic of the East.
The caramel flavor is added to baked goods and desserts to add a tangy tartness and a sweet, fruity flavor. The varieties of spicy plants in this group include: Cinnamon, Caramel, Vanilla Aroma, Lyubimchik, Red Ruby.
During winter preparations, marinade varieties of basil are used. In most cases, these are plants with green leaves (Basilisk, Greek, Broadleaf). A variety with purple leaves, such as Cairo Ruby, may be suitable. Breeders have also developed a special variety for marinades - Tempter.
The Anise variety of basil has a strong, fragrant aroma. The leaves are light green with a silvery tint, the stems and buds are painted lilac-violet. Aperitif, Delight, and Gourmand also have anise aroma.
The mint-pepper variety of the herb included the aroma and taste of mint and allspice. A well-known representative of this group of herbs is the Greek variety.
Menthol basil is often added when preparing desserts and drinks. The main representatives of this group are the following varieties: Velvet, Gourmet. The dark green leaves have an elongated shape. They have a tonic and absorbent effect.
Vanilla varieties are mainly used in the preparation of confectionery products. They are distinguished by fleshy, juicy leaves. A famous variety of spicy basil is Vanilla Flavor.
Varieties according to plant height
Based on the height of growth of the stem of the bush, low-growing, medium-growing and tall varieties of basil are distinguished. This characteristic becomes decisive when choosing a variety for cultivation. If there is little space, then you can choose a low-growing variety.
Low-growing varieties reach no more than 30 cm in height: Basilisk, Gnome, Gourmet, Stella, Malachite, Velvet. They can be grown at home, on the windowsill, all year round.
The average height of the basil varieties reaches 58 cm in height: Ararat, Tender Early, Delight, Greek, Karakum, Smuglyanka.
Tall varieties of spicy herbs reach a height of 82 cm: Pearl of the Moscow Region, Ruby of Cairo, Fantaser, Crimean Violet.
By growing method
Basil can be grown in the greenhouse, indoors and in the garden. Before choosing seeds, you need to decide which flavor is preferable. If you like a strong smell and rich taste, then it is better to choose the purple group of plants. Green leaves have a more subtle and delicate aroma.
Basil is planted in open ground as seedlings or seeds. They begin to plant seeds when the soil warms up enough. Planting time coincides with the first days of May. The best varieties of basil for open ground are: Cinnamon, Table, Anise, Lemon, Caramel.
The plant needs to be watered regularly, loosened the soil and fertilized. When the stem reaches 19 cm, the top is cut off to increase green mass. There is no need to allow the bushes to begin to bloom, otherwise the taste of the leaves will be lost.
Greenhouse basil bushes grow faster and gain abundant green mass, and are more protected from pests and diseases, as well as changes in air temperature.
Can be grown in a greenhouse purple basil, camphor, lemon, cinnamon. To get a good harvest, you need to prepare the soil; it must be loose, light and fertile.
It is better to set the air temperature in the greenhouse at 25 degrees. In the summer, you need to periodically ventilate the room. Once a week, water the beds generously. The top is cut at a height of 20 cm. During the growth period, you can add urea and an infusion of chicken manure.
Varieties such as Marquis, Dwarf, Lemon, Yerevan, Gvozdichny are suitable for window sills and balconies.When growing seasonings at home, the main thing is to properly prepare the soil for planting. It is imperative to place drainage at the bottom of the container.
The seeds are deepened by 10 mm, the distance between the holes is 6 cm. The air temperature in the room must be at least 21 degrees, and the seedlings must be provided with access to light. It is recommended to loosen the soil every two weeks, moisten the soil every two days.
By geography of cultivation
There are no special varieties of basil developed for Siberia. It is best to choose early ripening varieties with good cold resistance. Another feature is growing the crop through seedlings. The following varieties are suitable for the cold climate of Siberia and the Urals: Basilisk, Baku, Yerevan, Anise Aroma, Tempter, Magician.
The best varieties of basil for the Moscow region are: Velvet, Yerevan, Robin Hood, Orion, Small-leaved, Ararat. Since the weather in the Moscow region and central Russia is characterized by instability, It is recommended to grow basil through seedlings. Replanting into open ground begins around the twentieth of May, when the risk of frost returns decreases.
Perennial varieties
The basil genus includes more than 140 plant species, including perennial plants. They are grown as indoor plants in flower pots. Well-known perennial varieties of basil include: Rama Tulsi (Fine-flowered basil), Evengolny, Mint-leaved.
Rare varieties
Among the common types of herbs you can also find rare varieties of basil.
The stems and leaves of the Lemona basil variety can be used for food in fresh or dried form. It belongs to early-ripening crops; cutting of greens begins after 43 days.The bush grows up to 38 cm in height, compact with small light green elongated leaves and a citrus aroma.
The Rubra variety is mid-season (ripening occurs in 43 days), the bush is small and compact. The leaves are large, red-violet in color with a sharp, rich aroma.
Edwina basil is characterized by a low bush with light green leaves. From the time the first shoots appear until ripening, 40 days pass, so the plant is classified as an early variety. The leaves have an intensely spicy aroma.
Collection and storage
Basil leaves and stems must be cut off before flowering, otherwise they will lose their taste and aroma. The optimal size of branches for cutting is 12 cm. After cutting, the bush quickly forms new leaves, so you can harvest a new crop before frost.
The leaves can be dried for the winter, but only in the shade, laid out in one layer on a paper surface. Dried herbs retain their aroma and taste. Dried herbs should be stored in an airtight container, away from light and moisture. You can freeze the herbs.
Basil retains all its properties and taste even when pickled. The green mass of the plant is cut and placed in glass containers, sprinkling each layer with salt. Then move it to the refrigerator.
Use in cooking
Basil is widely used in cooking. It gives the dish a special taste and wonderful aroma. In addition, it enriches the body with vitamins and minerals, improves the functioning of the digestive system and calms the nervous system. Basil is often added to salads. Spicy herb goes well with all vegetables.
Basil is a good addition to drinks and various dishes.Dried and fresh herbs are added during the preparation of meat, fish and seafood dishes.
To prepare regular basil tea, you will need to put black tea and a fresh purple leaf of the herb into a teapot. Pour boiling water over the mixture and leave to steep for 10 minutes. Sugar is added to the finished tea.
Basil is often used in making marinades. You will need basil branches and garlic cloves. Herbs and garlic are placed in prepared sterilized jars. At this time, prepare a marinade from a liter of water, to which salt, sugar and vinegar are added. The jars are filled with boiling marinade. Spicy herbs prepared in this way can later be added to hot dishes.
Conclusion
Among the best varieties of basil, you can always choose the right variety. Among the classic varieties there are varieties with pleasant notes of other herbs.
Knowing the peculiarities of planting and caring for the crop, you will be able to grow the best varieties of basil at your dacha in a greenhouse or in open beds, as well as indoors, on a windowsill.
