Tulsi Basil

Fresh tulsi basil, or holy basil, boasts a distinctive aroma with a flavor that’s slightly sweet, minty, and mildly spicy, setting it apart from regular Italian basil. It’s perfect for boosting soups—add chopped tulsi leaves to hearty winter vegetable soups or chicken soup, as well as roasted tomato or pea-mint-basil soups. In salads, fresh tulsi provides bright, herbal notes; try it in a chickpea salad with cherry tomatoes, dried fruits, nuts, and a splash of lime.  Tulsi tea, enjoyed for its soothing qualities, can be steeped plain or brewed with warming spices like cinnamon and cardamom. Its vibrant flavor also shines in pestos, combining with garlic, nuts, cheese, and olive oil, or in chutneys made from tulsi, coconut, and chilies. Finish dishes by sprinkling chopped tulsi over dals, vegetables, or pizzas, or drizzle tulsi-infused oil for a fragrant farm-to-table touch.