What is Thai basil?
{{Infobox Cultivar | name = Thai basil | image = Thai_basil.jpg | image_width = 250px | image_caption = Early season Thai basil | species = ''O. basilicum'' var. ''thyrsiflora'' | group = Thai basil }} [[File:CroppedSweetBasilOrThaiBasil0314.JPG|thumb|Sweet basil is light green with wide leaves while Thai basil has purple stems and flowers and spear-like leaves]] [[Image:Thai basil flower.jpg|thumb|Late summer Thai basil flowers]] '''Thai basil''', or '''Asian basil''' is a type of sweet [[basil]]. It is found in Southeast Asia. Thai basil has small, narrow leaves and purple stems. The flower is a [[mauve]] (pink-purple) color. One [[cultivar]] commonly grown in the [[United States]] is 'Queen of Siam'. Thai basil is an important ingredient in the very popular Taiwanese dish, ''[[sanbeiji]]'' (three cup chicken). Used as a [[condiment]], a plate of raw Thai basil leaves is often served with ''[[phở]]'' (Vietnamese-style noodle soup) so each customer can season it to taste with the [[anise]]-flavored leaves. ==References== {{commons category|Ocimum basilicum thyrsiflorum}} {{Reflist}} {{Herbs & spices}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Thai Basil}} [[Category:Herbs]] [[Category:Lamiaceae]] [[Category:Plants of Asia]]