I bought Mexican Basil at HD thinking it was a mislabeled Thai Basil. When I bought it it tasted a lot like Thai Basil and had the green/purplish coloring like Thai basil, but now that it's had time to fill out in my herb garden, it doesn't taste anything like it.

I've never had experience with this herb before. I've used the sweet basils and thai basils but never mexican basil. Does anyone know what I can do with this herb? Is it even used in Mexican cooking, hence it's name? If I can't find a good use for it, I may just keep it in the garden for the time being until I can find a replacement for it.

Here's a pic of it a few weeks ago. It's gotten a lot taller and bushier since then.

thanks,
lali

"This is a tall, vigorous, bushy variety with thick, glossy, dark green leaves with a strong, spicy, cinnamon-like scent and flavour. Dried, the fragrance keeps for months and makes a good tea. Ideal for Mexican cuisine."

Or buy plants from reputable locally owned and operated nurseries or mail-order from specialty nurseries for the uncommon stuff. Some plants are difficult to grow from seed or are not true from seed like peppermint and tarragon.

FataMorgana

But my neighbor makes pesto with it...and it's good pesto. I've put a few leaves in a green salad. I've made a cold soup (tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, garlic, salt, pepper and tomato juice and threw in a little chopped Mexican Basil instead of cilantro. We thought it was delicious. It's a bit strong though isn't it.