Lemon Basil - planting, care and recipes

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Anonim

Lemon basil combines basil and lemon flavor. Here you will find tips on planting, care and delicious recipes.

Lemon basil is also known as Ocimum Americanum and probably has its origins in East Asia. What is particularly striking is the very strong scent of lemon and the strong aroma of the plant. It is therefore often used as a spice or as a decoration for desserts.
Lemon basil is a herb that only grows once a year. The usual growth height is around 30 cm. For optimal growth, the plant should be sheltered from the wind, but warm and sunny. Sowing is done in a special potting soil. A sowing substrate is also suitable, but it should be air-permeable. It is important that the temperature for sowing is at least 20 degrees Celsius. As soon as the first leaves appear, you can plant them out in the bed or in the pot.

The ideal location for lemon basil

It is possible to grow lemon basil in a pot or in a bed and to combine it with other varieties of basil. Lemon basil likes a very sunny and also warm location. The plant, on the other hand, is less able to deal with wind. It is therefore important that the Ocimum Americanum is only placed outside from May and at higher temperatures. While heat is an important factor for successful growth, lemon basil needs plenty of water and benefits from regular fertilization.

Lemon basil cultivation at a glance

  • Sowing can be done from mid-March, indoors, in pots
  • Do not cultivate outdoors until May or later
  • Sowing should receive plenty of light
  • Scatter the seeds only on soil that is already slightly moist
  • Soil should be loose and sandy

Note: Lemon basil can also be purchased directly in the pot. The pots are often set up in the kitchen because the spice is then ready to hand. However, the lemon basil should be separated and divided into at least three pots. As a result, the plant grows faster and stronger. Due to the division, thePlant also recover and is not constantly stressed by removing the leaves. This allows a plant to be used longer in the kitchen.

Lemon basil care

On average, basil reaches a height of 30 cm, but plants up to 40 cm are also possible. Lemon basil is not hardy and can only be used as an annual. The care requirements of lemon basil are relatively low. It is important that the plants are warm and sunny and that they are watered regularly. It is important to ensure that no waterlogging forms.

When harvesting, remove the small leaves first. The reason for this is that the lemon basil can carry out photosynthesis more effectively via the largest leaves. This supports growth and allows the plants to grow denser.
Important: Between June and July, the lemon basil will develop purple flowers. The flowers should be removed. They can affect the growth and aroma of the plant.

Lemon Basil Uses & Recipes

Lemon basil can be used to refine dishes and desserts. It is also possible to prepare drinks with the aromatic basil.

Lemon Basil Lemonade

You will need 65 g sugar, 20 large lemon basil leaves and 3 lemons.

Preparation:

  1. The sugar is boiled together with 65 ml of water until it has completely dissolved (sugar syrup).
  2. The leaves of the lemon basil are now washed and dried.
  3. Then they should be grated coarsely and then come to the warm sugar.
  4. Let the mixture steep for about 30 minutes.
  5. Squeeze enough lemons to make 100 ml of juice.
  6. Pour the syrup through a sieve and squeeze out the basil.
  7. Add the lemon juice and approx. 600ml of cold water to the sugar.
  8. Bottle the Lemon Basil Lemonade and store in the fridge.

Water with Lemon Basil

Lemon basil has a very aromatic taste and can therefore be used to give water a tasty aroma. For this
you need 1.5 l of mineral water, five lemon basil leaves and one lemon.

Preparation:

  1. Wash and slice the lemon.
  2. Place the lemon slices in a pitcher/carafe along with the lemon basil leaves.
  3. Then the water is poured on and everything is put cold.

Lemon Basil Syrup

For homemade long-life lemon basil syrup, you need 12 lemons (organic), 1 kg of sugar and three sprigs of lemon basil.

Preparation:

  1. The untreated lemons are washed and dried.
  2. Then peel and squeeze the lemons.
  3. The juice is poured onto the lemon zest and then 1 kg of sugar and 600 ml of water are added.
  4. All together should cook for about five minutes.
  5. Then the washed basil goes into the pot and the stove is turned down.
  6. Let the brew stand for an hour.
  7. The brew is then poured through a sieve and boiled again.
  8. Pour the lemon basil syrup into a sterile bottle and store in the fridge.

The recipe makes about 1.5 liters of syrup.