Fresh basil leaf

Fresh basil leaf

The fresh basil leaf is the essential ingredient that provides a characteristic aroma and flavor to numerous dishes, especially in Mediterranean and Latin American cuisine. It is the edible part of the basil plant (Ocimum basilicum), an annual aromatic herb that belongs to the Lamiaceae family.

Native to southern Asia, primarily India and Indonesia, basil has spread around the world and is now widely used in Italian, Thai, Vietnamese cuisine, and in various regions of Latin America.

The fresh basil leaf is characterized by its sweet, slightly spicy flavor with notes of clove and mint, making it perfect for seasoning sauces, salads, pestos, pizzas, and pasta dishes. Furthermore, this leaf is rich in antioxidants, vitamins A, C, and K, and possesses anti-inflammatory and digestive properties, making it a healthy ingredient full of benefits.

In different Hispanic American countries, the fresh basil leaf is also known as criolla basil or simply basil. In some places, it may be called purple basil if it refers to varieties with purple-colored leaves, although the most common one in recipes is the green-leafed variety.

Its use in recipes typically requires adding it at the end of cooking or using it fresh to preserve its intense aroma and prevent it from becoming bitter if cooked for too long.