BASIL

Fresh fragrant Basil is often called “king of the herbs” for its ubiquitous usage across numerous cuisines. Though often most commonly associated with Italian food, it is likely that Basil originated in India. There are 35 varieties of basil – sweet basil is the most common variety used in cooking, while holy basil is richest in essential oils and has been used for thousands of years in Ayurveda.

Symbolism around basil varies across the globe. In Portugal, dwarf bush basil is treated as a symbol of love. However, basil represented hatred in ancient Greece, and European lore sometimes claims that basil is a symbol of Satan!