Basil

Thai basil has a stronger aroma and flavor than sweet basil. It is native to Southeast Asia, and is used in curries, soups and rice dishes in Thailand and Vietnam. As a leafy green, it has medicinal properties. If you cook without basil, you’ll certainly notice the difference in taste. Thai cuisine loses its essence without the addition of these bright green leaves.

Here is one of my culinary secrets, though: if I can’t find Thai basil, I use normal basil - in fact, I use both interchangeably! So don’t worry if you can’t find one or the other - the flavor notes are similar enough to use whichever type of basil you can get your hands on.