Basil is perhaps the most popular and widely used culinary herb. It is a tender annual, aromatic plant with a spicy odor and flavor. It is a herb in the mint family that has a strong sweet aroma making it ideal for seasoning food. It is mostly used to flavor soups, stews, tomato dishes, meat, game, fish, egg dishes, herb butters and herb vinegars. It also has some medicinal benefits, including its use as a tonic to aid in digestion.
