Dark Opal Basil is a distinctive herb prized for its striking deep purple foliage and aromatic qualities. This sweet basil cultivar offers both visual appeal and unique flavor notes. Developed in the 1950s at the University of Connecticut, its rich color comes from anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants responsible for its vibrant hue.
Unique Flavor Characteristics
Dark Opal Basil offers a flavor profile distinct from common green basil varieties. While sharing the fresh, aromatic, and slightly spicy characteristics of sweet basil, it introduces additional nuances. The leaves often carry hints of anise, clove, or cinnamon. This provides a subtle complexity, making it a flavorful addition to various dishes. Its taste is mild, sweet, and gently spicy, distinguishing it from standard green basils.
Culinary Applications
Dark Opal Basil is a versatile ingredient in both savory and sweet culinary creations. Its vibrant deep purple color adds a visual element to dishes, making it a popular choice for garnishing. This herb can be incorporated into pestos, where its color transforms the dish into a unique lavender hue that may turn green when added to hot pasta.
For savory dishes, Dark Opal Basil enhances salads, dressings, and sauces, providing both flavor and visual appeal. It pairs well with tomatoes, garlic, onions, and various vegetables. Use it as a finishing herb for roasted vegetables or grilled meats, or chop it into pasta dishes and pizzas. Infusing vinegars or oils with Dark Opal Basil creates decorative and flavorful condiments.
Beyond savory applications, Dark Opal Basil also lends itself to sweet recipes. Its unique flavor complements fruit salads, desserts, and beverages. Use it to infuse syrups for cocktails or lemonades, adding a distinctive and aromatic twist. The edible flowers, typically small and cerise, can also be used as a subtle garnish or incorporated into fresh dishes.
Aesthetic and Ornamental Uses
Dark Opal Basil is valued for its striking visual impact, making it an excellent ornamental plant. Its deep purple, almost black leaves create contrast in garden beds and containers. The glossy, serrated foliage, often veined with rich red, grows on dark red stems.
This basil variety suits borders, decorative garden beds, or kitchen windowsills. Its compact, bushy growth habit makes it suitable for small spaces and container gardening. The plant also produces elegant spikes of small, tubular cerise or pink flowers in summer, which enhance its beauty and attract pollinators.
Maximizing Freshness and Use
To ensure the best flavor and longevity of Dark Opal Basil, proper harvesting and storage methods are key. Begin harvesting leaves once the plant reaches 6 to 8 inches tall and has established several leaf sets. Regular harvesting encourages fuller growth and delays flowering, which can make leaves bitter. Pinching off the top set of leaves or cutting stems just above a node promotes branching and continuous leaf production.
For short-term storage of fresh cuttings, treat Dark Opal Basil like a flower bouquet. Trim about half an inch from the bottom of the stems and place them upright in a glass jar with about an inch of cold water, ensuring no leaves are submerged. Loosely cover the leaves with a plastic bag and store the jar at room temperature, changing the water every couple of days; refrigeration can cause the leaves to blacken. This keeps basil fresh for up to one to two weeks.
For longer-term preservation, freezing is effective. Chop the leaves and freeze them in ice cube trays with olive oil or water, then transfer the frozen cubes to a freezer bag. Alternatively, whole leaves can be blanched briefly in boiling water, then immersed in an ice bath, dried thoroughly, and stored flat in freezer bags. Drying can diminish the herb’s vibrant color and reduce some of its flavor.