Holy basil
กะเพรา / kaphrao; तुलसी / tulsi
- Flavor and role
- A basil with fuzzy leaves and a hot, pungent aroma like cloves and pepper. Stir-fry over high heat to release its aroma.
- Typical dishes and uses
- Pad kra pao (basil stir-fry), Thai jungle curry, Indian tulsi tea. In this book: pad kra pao with fried egg.
- Substitutes
- The same amount of Thai basil is the closest substitute. If you have neither, sweet basil + a little black pepper.
- Storage
- Stand the stems in a glass of water at room temperature and use within 2-3 days. In the fridge the leaves blacken quickly.
- Main countries
- Thailand · India
Updated 2026-10-10