Basil green: varieties, cultivation, useful properties

For the first time, green basil began to be used in cooking oriental cuisine. This spicy and fragrant spice suited the Europeans after 2 centuries after it appeared in the culinary arsenal of many Asian chefs. At the end of the 16th century, basil becomes an expensive spice in dishes for meat, fish, salads and desserts.

Variety of basil

Basil has an abundance of varieties: 13 representatives. The type of leaves, size and color depends on the variety. Its color can be from a gentle green to a deep purple hue. Due to its extensive color scheme, some gardeners use basil as a decorative flower bed decoration. And when planting on beds, it protects garden crops from many pests with its astringent aroma.

The most popular varieties of green basil in our climatic zone:

• Anisovy - green with silvery-green leaves basil. Received its name for a delicate sweetish flavor, reminiscent of anise. Very popular in traditional oriental cuisine and confectionery.
• Lemon is a fragrant green basil with delicate lemon notes. Used in beverages, desserts and as a seasoning for fish. It is often used in cosmetology, perfumery and aromatherapy.
• "Thai Queen" - due to its decorative attractiveness is often used in landscape design: on a background of bright abundant lifestyles in the center of the plant is a rich purple inflorescence. A sharp and strong aroma gives a characteristic oriental flavor. Used in marinades, sauces and as a seasoning for meat.

Green species Europeans call a sweet basil, as it has a more even and mellow flavor, more often it is used in Mediterranean cuisine. Purple varieties have a sharper, spicy taste. Eastern people call it a fragrant basil.

Common varieties of violet basil:

• Purple - leaves of characteristic burgundy and violet shades. Has a high yield due to large larch. Due to pronounced spice is often used in the manufacture of oils, sauce and vinegar. Serves as a decoration for salads.

• Camphor - the highest grade, reaches 60 centimeters. Got its name due to the extraction of natural camphor from the plant. It has a specific aroma and serves as a medicinal infusion. It is used in meat and vegetable dishes.
• "Ararat" is the fastest basaltic on the time of ripening, from 30 to 40 days from the beginning of shoots to the harvest. Dimensions are compact, up to 30 centimeters in height, a purple hue, with a bitterish-clove flavor. Used in dried form in broth, meat and vegetables.

We examined only the most common varieties of green and purple basil, in fact there are many more. And they all have their unique qualities, but they are united in their usefulness for human health.

Useful properties of green basil

Not only in cooking, basil got its wide spread, but also in folk medicine, thanks to its healing properties. Thanks to its bright aroma, the plant was used to purify the air, get rid of headaches and relax the body in aromatherapy. And yet, according to ancient beliefs, the basil helped young girls get married.

To people suffering from diseases of the digestive system, the special properties of the green basil helped to get rid of the disease. After all, essential oils, contained in spices, are good at splitting fatty foods.

What is part of the eastern spice

In order to answer the question of how useful the green basil, you need to understand its chemical composition. All the richness of the plant is contained in its leaves. It is in them are vitamins: A, B2, P, C, vegetable fats, simple sugars, rutin, carotene, phytoncides. Spice gives the basil essential oils, which are contained in an amount of 1.5%, it is considered a high index. Volatile substances, which are also important components, contribute to the activation of the heart rhythm: linalool, camphor, eugenol and meilhavinol.

Thanks to all the above mentioned characteristics, one can understand how extensive the use of basil is in medicine: as an anti-inflammatory, disinfectant, wound-healing, immuno-fortifying agent. With bronchitis, viral respiratory diseases, asthma this plant can come to the rescue.

Positively wags the nervous system, the digestive tract, strengthens the muscles of the internal organs and relieves spasms in the blood vessels and normalizes the work of the urinary tract and intestines.

Who should not use aromatic basil

Since basil activates cardiac activity, in the case of problems with the health of this organ, it is worthwhile to refrain from using this plant. The fragrant green basil has an effect on the blood vessels in the body, therefore, venous diseases of different etiology and coagulability of the blood are the justification for abstinence from it. During pregnancy, feeding and diabetes, doctors also recommend refraining from this spice in any form.

Selecting a landing site

Basil grows well in open, well-lit areas. Therefore, it is worth taking care that the place was chosen correctly: far from the buildings casting a shadow. Soil must be prepared in such a way that it provides the necessary growth and development of the plant. For this, it is required to moisten the planting site with a substance containing potassium compounds ( potassium chloride, potassium sulfate) and urea in equal proportions with water. The soil itself, in which the basil will grow, should consist of humus, peat, compost and earth.

Growing green basil

Many gardeners can be found on a bed of basil in the neighborhood of parsley, dill or onions. The healing properties and taste qualities of this plant attract lovers of healthy nutrition. Grow it with seeds in greenhouses or seedlings open ground. The fact that the green basil is very tender and thermophilic, with the slightest frost the plant dies. Therefore, the transplanting method of planting facilitates the care process and promotes an early yield from the bed.

The optimal time for seeding is mid-March. A landing in the open ground is best done when it is already warm and the air has warmed up to +20 - + 25C. Usually it begins to be transplanted in late May - early June.

Since he is very sensitive to transplant, it is better to do it together with peat pots or in the phase of the first leaf opened. This will reduce losses when landing. The distance between the seedlings should be left at 20 centimeters. Below is a photo of a green basil.

Diseases of oriental spice

Basil is an annual plant, but it is not recommended to plant it in the same place in less than 5 years. The fact is that it is prone to fungal diseases that arise from improper care:

• Annual boarding in the same place;
• Overflow, as a consequence, stagnation of water;
• Lack of timely loosening of the soil around the basilica;
• Improper removal of weeds.

If you find that the basil is infected with a "black leg", "fusariosis" or "gray rot", it is worth immediately removing the plant from the planting site along with the root system and the surrounding land. But if the basil is just beginning to fall ill, you can try to save it: prepare the broth on the onion husk (in a ratio of 100 grams of husk to 400 ml of boiling water, and leave it for a day) or a solution of copper sulfate (1 teaspoon of powder to 2 liters of water) and sprinkle Every day the diseased plant until full recovery.

Caring for the green basil

Basil requires moderate watering and regular weeding from weeds. Top dressing with mineral fertilizers is desirable to do twice a month. If the lateral shoots are removed in a timely manner, then the yield of the plant can be extended: up to 3 collections from one bush.

Energy value of a plant

If you are a fan of Italian cuisine, then basil in the form of decoration on the paste or a supplement to the salad performs very often. That is why the information about the calorie content of such an amazing spice can become interesting. For 100 grams of the product in a dried form, there are 23-27 kcal (depending on the variety). The main component of the plant is water - 96%, fat in the basilica 0.65%, carbohydrates - 2.64%, proteins - 3.14%. From these data, we can conclude that its caloricity is almost zero.

Basil as a remedy for losing weight

If you follow a diet, the green basil can help you out. The fact is that he is not only almost beskaloriyny, but also copes well with the feeling of hunger. And also replenishes stocks of vital microelements and vitamins. When used in food, he will actively begin to burn fats and accelerate metabolic processes in the body.

For example, if you add 2 tablespoons of basil to stewed vegetables, then you should know that you received only 1 kilocalorie. All the processes will be so effective that nothing remains as energy for the body. You can add fish to a couple, then the diet dish will play bright colors. The maximum benefit for your body.

Application of basil in cosmetology

We already know that the green or purple sort of basil has many essential oils in its composition. For this reason, cosmetologists like to make oils from it, which are used as an important useful ingredient in creams, lotions and other means aimed at rejuvenation. Means for the care of basil oil will participate in the fight against skin fatigue, signs of wilting and acne. Antioxidant properties will help the skin to refresh and get rid of the harmful effects of the environment.

Recipe for a classic salad with basil

After all the above information about the beneficial properties of the basil, its cultivation, use for medicinal purposes and much more, it is necessary to complete the article with a classic recipe for a simple and delicious salad with basil. This salad is included in the menu of most European restaurants.

Green or purple basil is used in cooking in various variations: plant leaves, shoots, fresh and dried, whole and shredded.

We will need the following products:

• Mozzarella cheese - 120-130 g;
• Cherry tomatoes - 10 pieces (or usual tomatoes - 2 pieces);
• Lettuce leaves - 5 pieces;
• Basil leaves - 6 petals;
• A bunch of dill;
• Onion green (to taste);
• Balsamic vinegar - 1 tablespoon;
• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons;
• Salt, ground pepper - to taste.

Preparation of salad

If you have cherry tomatoes, then after they have been washed, you need to cut it in half. If you have conventional tomatoes, cut them into cubes.

Cheese mozzarella should be removed from the package and rinsed with boiled water. When the cheese is ready, cut it into cubes.

We pass to the greenery: basil can simply pick, leave whole or cut into slices (as you like). But it is commonly believed that the greens, torn with their hands, give more essential oils and gives a more rich taste to the dish. With dill, you can do the same, but you can also chop it, like a green onion. The last ingredient is not a mandatory part of the classic salad with basil. Therefore, leave a decision about its availability at your discretion.

To prepare the dressing, you must mix balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

Now go to the design of the salad: sliced cherry tomatoes (or tomatoes) put on a dish, add greens. Pour the salad harvested dressing.

There was one last touch: lettuce leaves can be cut or picked up (as you prefer) and mix the finished mixture.

Bon Appetit!