Basil

Basil: A Sweet and Aromatic Herb for Your Dishes

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Basil is a type of herb that belongs to the mint family. It has large, oval, green leaves that have a sweet, floral, and slightly peppery flavor and aroma. Basil is widely used in Asian, Mediterranean, and Italian cuisine, especially in pesto, tomato, cheese, and pasta dishes. Basil is also rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytochemicals that have various health benefits.

What You Need to Know About Basil

Botanical Name	Family	Cultivation	Harvesting	Storage	Shelf Life	Packaging	Availability
Ocimum basilicum	Lamiaceae	Organic	Year-round	Refrigerated	7-10 days	Boxes with labels or stickers	Worldwide

How to Choose the Best Basil for Your Needs

HerbCraft Kenya offers the following varieties of basil:

• Organic Basil: These are basil that are grown organically without using any synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or GMOs. They are certified organic by an accredited body and verified by a credible source. Organic basil have a higher quality and safety than conventional basil.
• Conventional Basil: These are basil that are grown using conventional methods that may involve the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or GMOs. They are not certified organic and may have lower quality and safety than organic basil.
• Dried Basil: These are basil that are dried using a natural or artificial process that removes the moisture from them. They have a longer shelf life than fresh basil but may lose some of their flavor, aroma, and nutrients. Dried basil can be rehydrated by soaking them in water before use.
• Frozen Basil: These are basil that are frozen using a rapid or slow process that preserves their freshness, flavor, aroma, and nutrients. They have a longer shelf life than fresh basil but may become limp or mushy when thawed. Frozen basil can be used directly from the freezer without defrosting.

How to Use Basil in Your Cooking

Here are some delicious and easy recipes that use basil as an ingredient:

• Basil Pesto: This is a classic and versatile sauce that can be used on pasta, bread, pizza, or salad. To make it, you need 2 cups of fresh basil leaves, 1/4 cup of pine nuts, 2 cloves of garlic, 1/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese, salt and pepper to taste, 1/2 cup of olive oil. Place the basil leaves , pine nuts , garlic , cheese , salt , and pepper in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped . Gradually add the olive oil while processing until smooth and creamy . Use as desired or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week .
• Basil Tomato Soup: This is a simple and comforting soup that can be enjoyed with croutons, cheese, or bread. To make it, you need 2 tablespoons of butter, 1 onion, 4 cups of chicken broth, 4 cups of diced tomatoes, 1/4 cup of chopped fresh basil leaves, salt and pepper to taste, 1/4 cup of heavy cream. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook for about 15 minutes , stirring occasionally , until soft and golden . Add the broth , tomatoes , basil , salt , and pepper and bring to a boil . Reduce the heat and simmer until slightly thickened , about 20 minutes . Puree the soup with an immersion blender or in batches in a blender until smooth . Stir in the cream and heat through . Serve hot or warm .
• Basil Lemonade: This is a refreshing and invigorating drink that can quench your thirst on a hot day. To make it, you need 4 cups of water, 1/4 cup of sugar, 1/4 cup of honey, 4 sprigs of fresh basil leaves, 1 cup of lemon juice. In a small saucepan , bring the water , sugar , honey , and basil to a boil over medium-high heat . Stir until the sugar and honey dissolve . Remove from the heat and let it steep for 10 minutes . Strain and discard the basil leaves . Transfer the syrup to a pitcher and stir in the lemon juice . Refrigerate until chilled or serve over ice .

What Our Customers Say About Basil

Here are some positive feedback from customers who have purchased and used basil from HerbCraft Kenya:

• "I love the freshness and quality of the basil from HerbCraft Kenya. They have a wonderful flavor and aroma that adds a sweet touch to my dishes. I especially like to use them in pesto , tomato , cheese , and pasta dishes . They are also very healthy and beneficial . I highly recommend them to anyone who loves herbs." - Lucy N., Nairobi
• "I have been buying basil from HerbCraft Kenya for a long time and I am always satisfied with their service and products. They deliver fast and reliably to my location , anywhere in the world . Their packaging is convenient and attractive , easy to open and close . Their labels or stickers provide useful information about their products , such as name , origin , certification , verification , expiration date , usage instructions . - George H., London
• "I am impressed by the variety and innovation of the products from HerbCraft Kenya. They offer both common and exotic varieties of basil , such as organic , conventional , dried , frozen . They also explore new and niche segments of basil , such as potted or edible flower . They are always ahead of the market and the competition." - Emma S., New York

Answers to Common Questions About Basil

Here are some answers to common questions that customers may have about basil:

• What are the health benefits of basil? Basil has various health benefits, such as improving digestion, boosting immunity, fighting infections, bacteria, and fungi, reducing inflammation, pain, and swelling, regulating blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and supporting oral, respiratory, and digestive health. Basil is also a good source of vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, calcium, and fiber.
• How to store basil? Basil should be stored in a refrigerated environment to maintain their freshness and quality. Basil can be wrapped in a damp paper towel and placed in a resealable bag or container. Alternatively, basil can be chopped and frozen in ice cube trays with water or oil. Basil should not be exposed to heat, light, or moisture.
• How to use basil? Basil can be used in various ways, such as adding them to sauces, soups, marinades, dressings, dips, or vinegars. Basil can also be used as a flavoring for pesto, tomato, cheese, or pasta dishes. Basil can also be used as a garnish for desserts, drinks, or cakes. Basil should be added at the end of cooking or just before serving to preserve their flavor and aroma.

Order Basil from HerbCraft Kenya Today

If you are interested in ordering basil from HerbCraft Kenya or want to learn more about our products and services, please contact us today. You can also visit our website or follow us on our social media channels for more information and updates. We look forward to hearing from you and serving you with our fresh herbs.

• Email: info@herbcraftkenya.com
• Phone: +254 706 926 835
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