I've purchased basil that has quite a few big leaves, for planting. It doesn't smell like basil though. It has a weird sharp flavor.

The leaves are beautiful, bright, green and strong. I've noticed this scent before when purchasing basil. What is it? It said it was sweet basil!

Tasha
  • Posted by: Tasha
  • May 10, 2015
  • 9028 views
  • 5 Comments

5 Comments

HalfPint May 17, 2015
Sometimes when herbs mature, their flavor and scent can become sharper, more pungent. It is often the young leaves that have that "sweetness" we are familiar with. It may be that the large leaves are too mature.
 
PieceOfLayerCake May 16, 2015
Thai basil is kind of spicy and sharply anisey. I wonder if there was a mix-up.
 
Susan May 16, 2015
Fresh basil can be surprisingly pungent. Did you try crumpling a leaf in your fingers and smelling it? Taste it too. Sometime the nose can fool you.
 
jeinde May 10, 2015
It could be cinnamon basil, which does have a stronger flavor but looks just like regular basil (as does your photo).
 
Tasha May 10, 2015
I can't seem to but it looks exactly like this:
http://www.edenbrothers.com/store/italian_large_leaf_basil_seeds.html
 
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