A beautiful, 25- to 30-inch-tall plant with dark-purple stems and flowers accented with small, glossy leaves, it’s my favorite basil to use for fresh arrangements and in fruit salads and garnishes. Like any fresh herb, you have to store cinnamon basil correctly for it to last and so that it can provide its flavor when you need to use it. Its flavor profile is not as robust as that of Thai basil, which is basically made for high-heat dishes. Since Thai cooks use both, neither herb has a flavor profile that will seem out of place in a Thai dish. Cinnamon basil is one of several varieties of the culinary herb basil, Ocimum basilicum and, like all basil, ... @burcinc-- I don't think that cinnamon basil is used as much as sweet Thai basil in Asian cuisine. Basil leaves come complete with an array of antioxidants and other wonderful phytonutrients. Cinnamite compound has claims for providing relief from common ailments like cough, headaches, diarrhea and constipation. Cinnamon basil, botanically known as Ocimum basilicum, is also commonly known as Mexican basil. You should note that cinnamon basil is just one of multiple herbs that are sometimes called Thai basil. Sweet Thai basil also has a spicy flavor with a hint of anise. Muddle it to make a version of a mojito or for a new twist on any other drink that might call for mint.If you are not a fan of alcoholic beverages, cinnamon basil makes a great tea. Interestingly, rau hung que literally means “cinnamon mint,” though Thai basil is a true basil. In addition to the effects on flavor, the stems have compounds not present in the leaves and that can discolor a pesto.Fresh cinnamon basil can lose its flavor if it is cooked for too long. In Thailand, Thai basil is called bai horapa, while in Vietnam, it is known as rau húng quế. It stands out in salads where it can provide a flavor profile that is zestier and brighter when you compare it to that of regular sweet basil.Visit our sister site PepperScale. This article discusses the latter type. Its cinnamon notes make it great in fruit salads, which also benefit from the basil part of its flavor profile. Use it in pumpkin pies and fruit pies as a substitute for cinnamon.As with regular sweet basil, you should discard the wider stems as they can make pesto and similar uncooked applications bitter. thyrsiflora), as a particular cultivar of Thai basil, and as a separate cultivar in its own right (i.e., O. basilicum 'Cinnamon'). It is a particularly good partner for stewed tomatoes and other forms of cooked tomatoes. Its similarity to regular basil makes it great in savory salads. There are a lot of other nutrients, vitamins and minerals present in Thai basil that are not listed here such as vitamin C and omega-3 fatty acid. Cinnamon basil is a cultivar of sweet basil containing cinnamite, a chemical compound that gives it its concentrated cinnamon flavor and intense aroma. Cinnamon and Thai basil both belong to the same family that includes As its name suggests, cinnamon basil gives a cinnamon-like flavor to your food in addition to some of the notes that you would expect from basil. Alternatively, you can use cinnamon basil to give traditional basil dishes a new flavor twist. Both the Holy Thai basil and Aside from its use in Thai cooking, you can use cinnamon basil in sweet dishes where it can stand in for sweet basil and for cinnamon. Cinnamon basil is also great a tea herb.Use Thai basil in Thai stir-fried dishes and other cooked applications since its flavor does not fade as quickly when compared to other basil varieties. Thai basil also has an intense camphor note. Use it in seasonal fall dishes that feature squash or pumpkin. Cinnamon basil can work as a substitute for Thai basil. Thai basil’s flavor profile blooms in Southeast Asian wok-preparations. Add one of these cubes to foods whenever you need the cinnamon basil flavor. Cinnamon basil is a type of basil (Ocimum basilicum).The term "cinnamon basil" can refer to a number of different varieties of basil, including as a synonym for Thai basil (O. basilicum var. Cinnamon basil makes a great addition to cocktails where it can serve as a replacement for another herb in its family: mint. Cinnamon basil makes a great addition to cocktails where it can serve as a replacement for another herb in its family: mint. Place it in a food dehydrator or hang it in a location with moving air.If you don’t plan on storing it with one of the methods listed above, use it as soon as possible. One factor that can make a comparison between these two tricky is that some people refer to cinnamon basil as Thai basil. Next, fill the tray with water and place it in your freezer. 3. Its similarity to regular basil makes it great in savory salads. Like sweet basil, you can dry cinnamon basil to extend its shelf life. This true basil is made distinct by its small leaves, smaller than its western and European counterparts. Dark Opal Basil. Visit our sister site PepperScale. As an added bonus, it is late to produce flowers, which often make basil develop a bitter taste. Freeze cinnamon basil by chopping the leaves and placing them in an ice cube tray. The two herbs are also nutritionally similar.That said, cinnamon basil and Thai basil will not give you exactly the same flavor profile.