The Royal Herb

     Basil was known as the royal herb by the Greeks.  A member of the mint family, the fragrant herb's flavor is described as a cross between licorice and cloves.  The most common type of this herb is sweet basil and is the most popular and widely grown in the United States.  It's used in many Mediterranean dishes.

     Another different type of basil is the Thai or Asian variety.  It has small, pointed, purple tinted green leaves and has a more pungent, licorice-like taste.  It is used extensively in Southeast Asian cooking.

     To compare each try growing both in your herb garden this season.  Then experiment with them in the cuisine of both cultures!