What is a Basil Seed – A Tropical Plant
Of course, you know basil, that sweetly scented leaves used in everything from Thai food to Margherita pizza to pesto. The lovely herb is one of the most used and cherished in the world.
If you’re not cooking with basil leaves, you’re missing out. Yet, there’s more to basil than you can imagine. Basil seeds are the new thing, and they’re still undiscovered by many.
Today we’re changing all that because the secret is out. Basil seeds are awesome: tasty and healthy, so here’s all you need to know about them. What is a basil seed? You’re about to find out.
What are basil seeds? Let’s start with basil
First things first. Basil is a tropical plant that comes from Southeast Asia and Central Africa. Yet, there’s more than one type of basil. The most common varieties are the sweet basil, which you might find labeled as Genovese basil — think pesto — the Thai basil, the lemon basil and the holy basil. Together, they’re the most traded types of basil, and although some are minty and others are more earthy, they all have one thing in common — addictive flavors and aromas.
The fragrant plant grows in France, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, Morocco, the United States, Greece and Israel. Being the USA the largest basil market. Basil seeds, though, are more widely used in India and Southeast Asia. As the world discovers these tiny seeds, they will become more widespread.
Basil seeds, black gold
Basil leaves are bright green, but the plant’s seeds are black and very small. They’re very similar to Chia seeds. It comes without saying growing your own basil at home is quite easy if you have a fistful of seeds. But if you don’t want to plant them, you might want to eat them instead.
When basil seeds are soaked in water, they expand and become gelatinous while retaining a nice crunch. They’re natural thickening agents for drinks and can be used to substitute chia seeds. Of course, basil seeds are more than a substitute; they have their own merits.
How to Cook with basil seeds?
Basil seeds are called sabja in India and are used in many popular beverages, such as the faluda, a dessert drink made with rose syrup, vermicelli rice noodles and milk. The drink has a long history and goes back all the way to the Persian empire.
The Turkish Sharbat, a fruit-based drink livened with flower petals and sweet syrups, is served with basil seeds too. Of course, you can add the contrasting seeds to ice cream, salads, lemonades and iced tea. Combining basil seeds with coconut milk and sugar renders a lovely pudding-like dessert. You must try this one.
Muffins, pudding, pancakes, bread, soups, yogurt, milkshakes or smoothies, everything tastes better with a small bunch of basil seeds.
Basil seed health benefits
Interestingly, these versatile dark seeds are more than a fun ingredient to play with; they’re quite healthy and have been used in traditional medicine for centuries. Here are some of their most impressive benefits.
- Nutritionally, one tablespoon of basil seeds adds 2.5 grams of healthy fat to your diet, along with 7 grams of dietary fiber and 2 grams of protein.
- Essential minerals in basil seeds are mostly calcium, with 15% of your daily needed intake, iron and magnesium, the last two with 10% of what you need in a day.
- Basil seeds are consumed mostly for their fiber. They keep your arteries clear from cholesterol; they support your gut health, help you feel satisfied and even promote adequate levels of blood sugar levels.
- If you want to complement your diet with antioxidants, then basil seeds are for you. They’re a fantastic source of flavonoids and polyphenols. These molecules will bind with free radicals in your bloodstream.
- Finally, there’s the Omega-3 fatty acids. You can only get these essential compounds from fatty fish, like tuna and salmon, but also few other foods, including basil seeds.
Start enjoying basil seeds, and you’ll never look back
The best part is that, despite being little-known, basil seeds are easily found in specialty health stores, Asian markets, and online.
Once you start cooking with these crunchy, jelly-like seeds, you won’t stop. Their versatility is endless, and with that texture, they just make everything taste better.
Add basil leaves to your diet because they’re tasty and fun and benefit from the seeds’ nutritional properties at the same time. That’s a win-win proposition.
You might just end up loving basil seeds more than the plant’s aromatic leaves. Why not enjoy both? Checout our curated list of basil seeds to buy.
Highly Rated – Social Media Chatter on Basil Seeds
Finally got my first shot of vaccination yesterday. I've been feeling so low on energy since then!
We are keeping our meals as simple as possible and including lots of green vegetables and fruits rich in antioxidants in our diet.
Along with that, we are religiously having a glass of turmeric milk ever since our vaccination date was fixed.
In order to avoid any side effects of the vaccine, we have been been keeping ourselves hydrated in every possible way!
Fresh coconut water, aam panna, amla juice, lemonade, kokam sherbet have been making a frequent appearance at my home since a couple of days.
Trust me guys, this diet plan really helped us cope with the vaccine side effects and we are doing fine - touch wood!
Above all, i honestly feel that my regular yoga and Pranayam practice have really helped me through these difficult times...
Made a regular nimbu sherbet / lemonade today and added some rose syrup and sabja seeds to enhance its taste!
Feeling so refreshed now💕
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#lemonade #roselemonade #pinklemonade #basilseed #basilseeddrink #pinkdrink #coviddiet #flatlayprowess #pink #drinkoftheday #wahhindia #shuttersofindia #healthydrink
#softdrink #basilseed #basildrink #basil #basilseeddrink #summertime #sunnyday☀️ #energy #energydrink
【清宿便能手】體積細小的腸道清道夫
#惟注意脂肪量不輕
#一日一湯匙就夠
#星期四食材
奇亞籽 vs 羅勒籽
辦公室同事最近枱頭都有一樽樽飲品，裡面有些黑色小點在浮浮沉沉狀似蝌蚪，原來愛美的OL同事在水裡加入了奇亞籽(Chia seeds)，不少女士都視它為減肥神物，因為它泡水後會膨脹，吃下去有飽足感又有潤腸通便之效。外貌相近的羅勒籽(Basil seeds)也有相似效果，多數出現在台灣及泰式飲品中。雖然兩種種籽的好處多多，但要注意都是高纖食物，份量不宜過多，因為纖維過多也會引致便秘甚至腸阻塞。
奇亞籽(Chia seeds) — 是鼠尾草的種籽，形狀似芝麻，起源於中南美洲。奇亞籽含有豐富的水溶性膳食纖維及Omega3，泡水後會膨脹及產生黏膠狀物質，也有植物性蛋白質，有助延緩血糖上升速度、提供飽足感及潤腸暢便。進食奇亞籽後可能導致腹脹情況，脾胃虛弱人士不宜多吃；奇亞籽有降血壓作用，所以低血壓人士不宜食用。
羅勒籽(Basil seeds) — 又名蘭香子、明列子、山粉圓(即台灣叫的青蛙下蛋)，是香草羅勒的果實，扁平褐黑色，加入水中煮會膨脹及產生黏膠狀物質，也就是水溶性纖維，亦含有蛋白質、鈣質及維他命。進食羅勒籽後可能導致腹脹情況，脾胃虛弱人士不宜多吃。
Chia seeds vs Basil seeds
You may have seen some colleagues have drinks with floating particles in it recently, especially ladies. They are actually chia seeds loved by ladies for weight loss purpose. Chia seeds expand when placed in water and creates a feeling of fullness when consumed and can also aid bowel movement. Basil seeds are similar to chia seeds in appearance with similar effects. You may find basil seeds in Taiwanese and Thai drinks. Although the benefits of these two seeds are numerous, it is important to note these are high-fiber foods, and too much fiber can lead to constipation and even intestinal obstruction. It is better to not eat too much.
Chia seeds- seeds of Salvia Hispanica, shaped like sesame, originated from Central and South America. Chia seeds are rich in soluble dietary fiber and Omega3. After soaking in water, they will expand and become a sticky substance. Chia seeds are a plant-based protein, which help to slow down blood sugar rate of increase, provide a feeling of fullness and loosens the bowels. Eating chia seeds may cause abdominal bloating so those with asthenic stomach and spleen should not have too much. Chia seeds can help to lower blood pressure so those with hypotension can not eat chia seeds.
Basil seeds- known as Jelly Tapioca Pearl in Taiwan, is the fruit of vanilla basil. They are flat shaped and brownish black in color. They will expand and become a sticky substance after boiling in water. It contains soluble fiber and protein, calcium and vitamins. Eating basil seeds may cause abdominal bloating so those with asthenic stomach and spleen should not have too much.
#男 #女 #我胖了 #減肥 #便秘
Sources:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basil
- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/food-news/what-are-sabja-seeds-and-why-they-have-suddenly-become-popular/photostory/68170201.cms
- https://food52.com/blog/22755-basil-seeds-explainer-what-is-it
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/basil-seeds
Thanks for a comprehensive tutorial on the benefits of Basil Seeds to humanity! When I first started reading, the first thought that came up is how and where do I find these sweetly scented leaves called Basil Seeds? Is it something that can be found in any part of the world or only restricted to specific locations? Good to learn about Basil as a leaf that is so beneficial to man’s health!
I know about some leaves that are really fun and tasty but do not offer as much health benefit as Basil does. Basil is a kind of vegetable plant that’s completely new to me. Glad I have access to some Asian stores where I can find these jelly-like, crunchy seeds! Thanks for the informative post!
Thanks Michael. Basil seeds should be available everywhere.
Interestingly, I have grown and sown it at home in Serbia so many times and I have never tried to consume the seeds in any way in our country in Serbia. It is a very popular and famous plant. is in most Christian rites.So my question is whether this herb helps with axiosis and depression, thanks for the answer in advance. 🙂
Thanks Dragan, I will let the community define the benefits and see who has experienced it. Check out the instagram section Highly Rated – Social Media Chatter on Basil Seeds for more info.