Thai basil, dried

[MicBacchus]

It's very hard for me to find (& impossible for me to grow!) Thai basil, but I LOVE it when I get it fresh. Does anyone know if the dried variety is worth using? Obviously I'd need to make adjustments to some recipes, but would be willing to if I'd still get the same wonderful-tasting results.

[msphoebe]

I, too, salivate at the thought of fresh Thai Basil. I often buy it at a local Asian grocery.

Was unaware it is available dried. Although I would never use it, I'm wondering where you found it!

Thanks for sharing.

d

[MicBacchus]

You can buy it at Amazon (?), but on eBay there's a store called "Wildcrafted Herbs & Teas" that's organic & the leaves are dried whole. It's fairly cheap, around $3, & that's the one I was thinking of trying.

[Adam Balic]

Not worth it at all I'm afraid.

[melkor]

You can buy it at Amazon (?), but on eBay there's a store called "Wildcrafted Herbs & Teas" that's organic & the leaves are dried whole. It's fairly cheap, around $3, & that's the one I was thinking of trying.

If you live anywhere near me I'd be happy to give you several fistfulls of fresh Thai basil. Whatever is left on the plants in November will get dried and once spring rolls around again the dried will get tossed. We never really use any of the dried stuff over the winter, but it's nice to know it's around should we decide to make something that needs it.

[MicBacchus]

Thanks for the offer but I'm in MD. After all the "no's" on the dried variety, I've decided to 1) go to my favorite Thai place more often and 2) plant some seeds and carry the plant around my house throughout the day to stay in the sun and thrive!!

[Behemoth]

I have a holy basil plant (so far it has survived a lot of abuse) but in a pinch I think subbing regular basil and a little mint would be the better option. If light is the only problem though -- I am thinking of getting a plant lamp for the basement so my herbs can survive a winter without getting all sad & scraggly looking-- maybe that's an option?

Here is a site with some info.

(Okay, they start out at $170, which would only be worth it if you plant more stuff, or if you REALLY REALLY like your thai basil...) but I think you can also find incandescent bulbs for plants for a lot cheaper, might be worth a first shot. Actually, do some shopping around under "grow lights". I just saw a system for $48 on ebay. They include some "magic bud potion" so you might get some unwanted attention from the feds

Edited August 18, 2004 by Behemoth (log)

[Ida]

I also have a hard time getting Thai basil when I want it. When I can get it I buy lots of it. I put what I would use for one meal in freezer ziploc bags and cover with water then push all the air out of the bag and zip it up, then I freeze it. The water keeps it from getting freezer burnt. It isn't as nice as having fresh, but I'd think it would beat the dried.

[MicBacchus]

Thanks Ida - that's an idea that should work. Guess I'll be going to the market this weekend.

[petite tête de chou]

It's very hard for me to find (& impossible for me to grow!) Thai basil, but I LOVE it when I get it fresh. Does anyone know if the dried variety is worth using? Obviously I'd need to make adjustments to some recipes, but would be willing to if I'd still get the same wonderful-tasting results.

I'm curious as to why it's impossible for you to grow it on your own? Are you in an apartment? Perhaps your green-thumb isn't? No time or interest? Or...?

Like most basils I've met, their qualities that we love so much (freshy, tangy, bitey, immediately aromatic, pliable, irreplaceable) are not available in their dried form...at all.

Please don't use dried basil when it should be fresh. Prepare a different dish that doesn't require fresh basil.

[snowangel]

I grow Thai basil during the summer; buy it readily at the Hmong/Thai markets that populate the Twin Cities. Tried drying it once; it just wasn't right. Wonder what would happen if one made a "Thail Basil Pesto"? Anyone tried this?