Basil is commonly used fresh in cooked recipes. It is generally added at the last moment, as cooking quickly destroys the flavour, Can be kept for a short time in plastic bags in the refrigerator, or for a longer period in the freezer, after being blanched quickly in boiling water. Basil is one of the main ingredients in pesto,Italian sauceThe most commonly used Mediterranean basil are "Genovese", "Purple Ruffles", "Mammoth", "Cinnamon", "Lemon", "Globe", and african blue. The Chinese also use fresh or dried basils in soups and other foods. In Taiwan people add fresh basil leaves to thick soups. Thai basil is commonly steeped in cream or milk to create an interesting flavor in ice cream or chocolates . The leaves are not the only part of basil used in culinary applications, the flower buds have a more subtle flavor and they are edible.
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