Whether bought in the supermarket or grown yourself from sown seeds - basil gives many Mediterranean dishes the finishing touch. It tastes best when freshly harvested. But is it a good idea to pick individual leaves from the basil as needed?
Why shouldn't you just pick basil leaves?
If individual leaves are repeatedly plucked from the royal herb, which is very demanding in terms of care, you can causegreat damage to the plant during harvesting. You should therefore definitely avoid simply snipping off a basil leaf.
What are the disadvantages of plucking basil?
Plucking affects the typical Mediterraneanaromaof the basil- of course not in the leaves that have just been harvested, but in those that are grow back as soon as the basil has started to flower due to plucking (see question 3). In addition, this form of harvest has immenseeffects on the growth of the plant and on its lifespan If an individual branch has no leaves or only very few leaves, the necessary nutrient supply is cut off, the plant no longer grows and dies finally.
What is the best way to harvest basil?
When harvesting basil, pay attention to the following points:
- Alwayscutting instead of picking with your fingers.
- Cut off entire shoot tips, a length of five to seven centimeters is recommended.
- Always start the step just above the last leaf node, then new branches can form at this point.
- At least one pair ofleaves must remain on each branch.
Cutting for harvesting is also highly recommended for red basil and other varieties of the popular culinary herb.
What effect does plucking have on the basil flowers?
Plucking does not prevent the basil from bloomingTo ensure that the leaves have a good and aromatic taste, you should avoid the herb from forming flowers if possible. Once it flowers, not only does a bitter taste develop, but the basil begins to die. This is because the plant puts all its strength into forming the flowers and goes into it itself.
Are there exceptions that allow plucking?
It is an exception if the basil has very old,dark green colored leaves. These can be plucked off individually without the basil in the pot suffering. This means that the bushy growth, which is otherwise mainly achieved through proper cutting, is not affected.
Tip
Cancel is also not recommended
You should always use scissors to harvest your basil - which, by the way, can be harvested very extensively without any problems. If the branches are simply broken off, this can be just as damaging to the plant as plucking off individual leaves. To avoid temptation, it's best to put the scissors within easy reach before cooking.
