Basil — origin, use and active ingredients

Basilica
(
Ocimum basilicum
) is one of those herbs that makes the difference between an average dish and a great one in the kitchen. Just a pinch can completely change the character of a dish — and that’s why it’s worth knowing where it comes from, when it’s added and what it contains. In this article, let’s take a look at everything you need to know about basil.

Origin and history

It originates from tropical Asia and India, where it was cultivated more than 5,000 years ago. It was brought to the Mediterranean via trade routes, and today it is inextricably linked to Italian cuisine.

Where is it used

Fresh leaves are indispensable in Italian cuisine: pesto, tomato sauces, Caprese salads, pizza and pasta. Another variety (Thai basil) is used in Asian dishes. It is added just before the end of cooking because the heat destroys the aroma.

Active ingredients

What it contains

Essential oils (linalool, estragole, eugenol), flavonoids, vitamin K, magnesium and iron. It acts as an anti-inflammatory, soothes digestive problems and has mild antibacterial properties.

How to use it in the kitchen

Always add basil at the end — if you cook it for a long time, it loses its characteristic aroma and becomes bitter.

What goes best with it

Basil goes perfectly with dishes where we want depth and warmth. Try it in combination with the basic ingredients you always have on hand: olive oil, garlic, onion, lemon and pepper. It is these ingredients that are the foundation of Mediterranean and Slovenian cuisine — and basil adds that final note that would not be there without it.

If you are using it for the first time, start with a small amount. The aroma of each spice is strong and quickly prevails. It’s better to add a little and then a little more than to fix a dish that’s already over-seasoned.

When do we add it

A simple rule applies to most herbs: hard herbs (rosemary, thyme, bay leaf) are added at the beginning of cooking, and soft and fresh ones (basil, parsley, dill, mint) only right before the end or even on the plate. The heat destroys the delicate ethereal compounds that give freshness — what we recognize by a well-prepared dish.

How to store it

Fresh herbs retain their aroma best if you wrap them in a damp kitchen towel and store them in the refrigerator — they last up to a week. Another proven method: place the stems in a glass of water, like a bouquet of flowers, and cover with a bag.

Store dried herbs and spices in airtight containers in a cool, dark place away from stoves and ovens. Moisture and heat are their biggest enemies. Most ground spices lose half their aroma within six months, while whole seeds and dried herbs last up to two years.

A simple test of freshness: crush the spice between your fingers and smell it. If it smells faint or dusty, it’s time for a new one.

An interesting fact

Latin name
Ocimum basilicum
it says a lot about how our ancestors saw the plant. Many of the names come from descriptions of smell, taste, or supposed healing powers — and that’s why old cookbooks make such interesting reading. Each spice carries its own story, which goes back centuries, to the times when spices were more valuable than gold.

If you want to use basil in a dish that you don’t already have in your recipe collection, we recommend that you try it first in a small amount. The kitchen is the best laboratory — and every dish you make teaches you something new.