How is Thai Basil used in Thai cooking?

Thai basil - bai horapha - has purple stems and flowers, slim spear-shaped leaves, and a distinct sweet, anise-like scent that sets it apart from the broader-leaved sweet basil. It holds up to heat better than its peppery cousin holy basil, so it's added towards the end of stir-fries, curries, and soups, where its licorice fragrance lifts the whole dish. Sweet basil can stand in if you must. We tear the leaves in at the last moment so the aroma blooms without cooking away.

Can I cook with Thai Basil in a Chiang Mai cooking class?

Yes - we use Thai Basil in our hands-on classes. Explore them on our Cooking Classes page.

Thai Basil - Fresh Thai Vegetables | Thai Akha Kitchen

Thai basil - bai horapha - has purple stems and flowers, slim spear-shaped leaves, and a distinct sweet, anise-like scent that sets it apart from the…

Thai Basil - Fresh Thai Vegetables | Thai Akha Kitchen Thai basil - bai horapha - has purple stems and flowers, slim spear-shaped leaves, and a distinct sweet, anise-like scent that sets it apart from the…