From Edible Leaves Of The Tropics, U.S. Department of Agriculture
by Franklin W. Martin and Ruth M. Ruberté
Basil
or albahaca
Ocimum
basilicum L.
Labiatae
Basil or albahaca (Ocimum
basilicum L.) is a spice of the Labiatae from the tropics
which has been accepted in the temperate zone as sweet basil. It is an
old species, cultivated in India for centuries, and probably better
known there than anywhere else. The genus itself is widely distributed
in the tropics where related species are used for religious, medicinal,
and insecticidal purposes.
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Figure 34.  |
Albahaca or basil, as grown for its leaves in Puerto Rico.
Basil is a small plant, rather bushy, and somewhat woody at the base
(Fig. 34.) It is grown from seed as an annual, although in fact it is a
perennial species. The foliage is normally removed and dried in order
to prepare the condiment. An essential oil is removed by steam distillation.
Basil is already a
tropical herb, perhaps the most important spice from leaves that has
come from the tropics. It is well adapted everywhere and needs no
special precautions. The leaves can be used fresh, or sun dried, in stews, with meats, or
with vegetables. By custom it is often used with dishes that contain
tomatoes. The liqueur chartreuse includes basil leaves in its recipe.
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Bibliography
Martin, Franklin W., Ruth M. Ruberté. "Edible Leaves Of The Tropics." 1979, 2nd ed., Agricultural Research, Southern Region, U.S. Department of Agriculture, doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.119721. Accessed 22 May 2017.
Published 11 Oct. 2018 KJ
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