Botanical name - Ocimum basilicum
Country of Origin - Egypt
The flavours of basil are truly magnificent; it entails a strong anise-like zest with a sweet scent perfect for creating sumptuous dishes. Basil's pervading, clove-like aroma makes it such an ideal complement to tomatoes that it is often referred to as 'the tomato herb'.
Basil also complements other vegetables such as eggplant, zucchini, squash and spinach. When added within the last half an hour of cooking, basil enhances the flavour of vegetable and legume (split peas, lentil) soups. Most salads, especially those with tomato, benefit greatly from the addition of basil.