Beyond Pesto: Growing and Using 5 Unexpected Varieties of Basil

Tired of plain Genovese? Discover five incredible basil varieties—from spicy Thai to sweet Cinnamon—and learn exactly how to grow them for massive flavor payoff in your kitchen garden. Unlock a world of unique flavor profiles that go far beyond standard pesto this season.

The World Beyond Sweet Basil

Pesto is a perfect culinary creation, and the classic ‘Genovese’ sweet basil is a star ingredient. However, the world of basil (Ocimum basilicum) offers a spectacular, often-overlooked range of flavors and aromas that can completely change your cooking.

Basil's incredible diversity comes from slight variations in its volatile oils—the compounds that create scent and flavor—giving us notes that range from licorice and lemon to cinnamon and clove. If you’re only growing one type of basil, you’re missing out on a huge palette of culinary potential! The goal of this article is to inspire you to look beyond the standard large-leaf varieties and discover five unexpected basils that will revolutionize your kitchen.

Basil Basics Refresher

Before diving into the unique varieties, remember that all basil requires the same basic care:

Sunlight: Basil is a sun lover, requiring 6–8 hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight daily.
Watering: Consistent moisture is key. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
Pruning: Always apply the "Golden Rule" of pruning by cutting just above a leaf node to encourage bushier growth and prevent legginess.

Five Unexpected Basil Varieties & Their Uses

Thai Basil

Thai basil is indispensable in Southeast Asian cooking and is easily recognizable in the garden.

Flavor Profile: Unlike sweet basil, Thai basil has a strong, distinct anise (licorice) and spicy flavor.
Appearance: It is known for its beautiful purple stems and vibrant, cone-shaped purple flower heads.
Culinary Use: This variety is essential for balancing rich, complex flavors in dishes like curries, pho, and quick stir-fries. It also holds up better to high heat and longer cooking times than its Italian cousin.

Lemon Basil

If you love citrus, this basil is a must-grow for its bright, sunny notes.

Flavor Profile: Thanks to the high concentration of the chemical citral, Lemon Basil has an intense citrus scent and a sharp, lemon zing that brightens any dish.

Appearance: It has smaller, narrower, and slightly lighter green leaves than sweet basil.

Culinary Use: Lemon Basil is superb when paired with white meat, poultry, or used to make refreshing iced teas and infused water. It adds a delicate, yet unmistakable, citrusy punch to green salads and vinaigrettes.

Cinnamon Basil

One of the few basils used primarily in sweet dishes, Cinnamon Basil is a unique garden discovery.

Flavor Profile: It has a warming, spicy aroma with a distinct cinnamon and clove undertone.

Appearance: Look for narrow, dark green leaves paired with unusual dark purple/red stems and lavender flowers.

Culinary Use: This is a spectacular, unexpected addition to desserts! Use the leaves in fruit salads, baked goods (like scones, shortbread, or apple pie), or to infuse simple syrup for specialty winter cocktails.

Purple Ruffles Basil

This is a favorite among gardeners who want a beautiful, edible ornamental plant.

Flavor Profile: It is generally milder than Genovese, with a slightly peppery flavor. It’s often grown more for its color than its flavor potency.
Appearance: This basil is a showstopper, featuring large, dramatically fringed, and deeply crinkled leaves in a stunning, deep purple color.
Culinary Use: Primarily ornamental, it makes a fantastic, colorful garnish. Use it to infuse white wine vinegar (which will turn a vibrant pink!) or layer it into fresh green salads for color contrast.

Holy Basil

Also known as Tulsi, this basil is prized not just for its flavor but for its traditional uses.

Flavor Profile: Highly aromatic, spicy, pungent, and intensely clove-like.
Appearance: It tends to have fuzzy stems and small, slightly ridged leaves that can be light green or slightly purple.
Culinary Use: Revered in Ayurvedic practices in India for its traditional medicinal uses. It is most commonly brewed into a therapeutic, caffeine-free tea ("Tulsi tea") for wellness purposes.

Growing Tip: Delaying Flowers

All basils are annuals that are highly susceptible to bolting (flowering) when temperatures are too high, or they become pot-bound. When they bolt, the leaf flavor quickly deteriorates.

Pruning is Non-Negotiable: You must be aggressive with pruning all varieties. For Thai basil, for instance, those beautiful purple flower heads must be cut off as soon as they appear. By "deadheading," you force the plant to redirect its energy back into producing more leaves instead of seeds, extending your harvest.

Explore New Flavors!

The world of basil is wide open and incredibly rewarding! You can easily dedicate a small corner of your kitchen garden this season to one unexpected variety, like the spicy Cinnamon Basil for your holiday baking or the refreshing Lemon Basil for summer drinks. Experimenting with these different flavors is the best way to discover your new favorite way to use basil, beyond just pesto.