Basil is one of the most popular herbs in Mediterranean cuisine and is valued for its very fresh yet strong taste, which tends to be slightly spicy. But what if the basil from the windowsill or the garden tastes bitter?
Why does basil become bitter?
If freshly harvested, otherwise very aromatic basil has taken on a bitter taste, this is usually because the basil planthas already bloomedorat the time of harvest blooms.
Can bitter tasting basil still be eaten?
The bitter-tasting basil can beconsumed without any problems - it is not poisonous and consumption does not pose any he alth risks. However, after flowering, the leaves of this culinary herb, which is not easy to care for, lose their typical taste and aroma in addition to increasing bitterness. The leaves are still suitable for seasoning Mediterranean dishes that are heated, but they should no longer be used for Insalata Caprese (tomato-mozzarella) due to the bitter substances.
How can the bitter taste be avoided?
To prevent the bitter taste of basil, it is important to harvest the leavesbefore they bloom Individual leaves should not be plucked off, but rather the entire shoot tips should always be cut off. If the entire harvest is not eaten fresh, the basil can be frozen very well and then used as needed.
Does the bitter taste of basil disappear when cooked?
Heating it in a sauce, for example, dissolves thebitter substances in the basil. In this way, the actual, natural aroma of the culinary herb comes to the fore again and the bitter taste fades into the background or disappears completely.
Can basil taste bitter even after drying?
Even if basil has been dried,it can taste bitter To avoid this, when heating dried basil, care should be taken that the temperature is not too high - burnt it tastes bitter. We recommend always adding dried and fresh basil to the respective food shortly before the end of the cooking process. An exception are dishes such as pancakes or quiches - when combined with eggs, cheese or cream, the Mediterranean culinary herb can also tolerate higher temperatures.
Can basil still taste bitter in pesto?
Basilcan also taste bitter in the popular mixture with oil and parmesan Before preparing a pesto from green or red basil, you should try to see whether the herbs have a bitter aroma – if so, they are unsuitable for pesto. If the leaves do not taste bitter, the bitter taste of the finished pesto may be due to the oil.
Tip
Edible flowers
In addition to the leaves, the flowers of basil can also be eaten. Their taste is always bitter and the aroma can be reminiscent of grass. The flowers are suitable as an ingredient for colorful salads and also to decorate Mediterranean dishes.
