Sure doesn't smell like Basil

8/28/2013

A month or so ago, I planted some Basil. Or so I thought. I decided to pick some today as they're growing so nicely. I snipped a few leaves off to smell them and they don't smell anything like Basil. They have a very strong lemon scent to them. Huh... I'm not a Basil expert, but I'm pretty sure this ain't it. Or perhaps it's a different variety... don't get me wrong... I really love the fragrance and I put it in my sandwich today and it added a delicious flavour. If anyone out there knows what this is called, please let me know! I'd really appreciate it.

4 Comments

Paul

8/29/2013 02:34:34 pm

Hi Anne,
your leaf looks like a cross between a Basil leaf and a mint leaf. If it has a strong smell of lemon and a faint smell of mint then it is probably Lemon Balm. If it is Lemon Balm, you can use it to make tea, flavor fruit or green salad, and best of all, as a seasoning for fish. When I was a kid a lot of people used to plant Lemon Balm right against the gate post, so that every time the gate was opened it would brush against the plant and release the scent. Hope this helps.
Best wishes,
Paul.

Anne

8/30/2013 11:58:26 am

Thanks Paul! I've looked on the internet for images of Lemon Balm (thinking it might be that), but the leaves are quite different, that's why I assumed it wasn't... but maybe it's a variety that I've just not found yet. That's possible. Regardless, I've added to salads and to trout dishes. Yum! Thanks for your help... and for reading... always nice to know someone's on the other side :)

Sally

8/30/2013 08:40:36 pm

Hi Anne,
I believe it's a type of basil called Lemon Basil. Basil actually comes in many flavors, I used to grow one that tasted like cinnamon.
Sally in Puriscal

Anne

8/30/2013 10:49:00 pm

Hi Sally! So good to hear from you! Thank you, it looks like you win the prize (aah... will my praise do?). I just checked the internet for images and you're right, it sure does look like Lemon Basil. That makes sense since I KNOW I bought Basil seeds... just didn't realize they were flavoured. It's really lovely. Cinnamon? That sounds pretty nice, too! Thanks again for solving the mystery... and we'll catch up soon! Hope you and John are doing well.

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Dave and Krista are a couple from the Pacific Northwest that led overwhelmingly busy lives.
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