Opening the Oxford Dictionary, tracking in thousand amazed words that belong to an alphabetical “B” and finger pointed at the word Basil. According to this dictionary, Basil is a sweet-smelling herb used in cooking. Originally word basil came from Greek “basileus” which is mean “King” and being categorized into family of Lamiaceae. Used in million recipe or could be more makes basil is not just only an herb with green colored leafs, hairy stems, and contained with terminal spike flower. Tracing its lineage, basil was known as a low growing herb that have been cultivating for more than thousands years in the land which has warm till tropical climate, and if we look onto world atlas then some of Asian Continent is their land of spreading growth especially region with tropical temperatures.
Basil could grow by their seeds or through a cutting of their stem, also believe that basil should not let to flowering. Once they produce a flower then basil itself will be less in having their scent and flavor. A scientific source mention that basil potentially build antioxidant which could be anticipate a cancer, while herbalist describe that basil contain of slight sedative action which recommended for headache and anxiety. Mixture hybrid and gen transforming since they originally created makes basil has many varieties to be mention according to its scented, usage and appearance. For example as mild as clove scented of basil variety categorized as sweet basil is famous artist in playing role as popular ingredients in Italian culinary.
In India basil having popularity as holy basil and its called Tulsi, mentioned in Ayurveda that Tulsi is regarded as an avatar of Lakhsmi and a consort of Vishnu. That’s why Tulsi are often used for holy ceremonial reason describing of worship ritual to God. Very unique scented basil causing by containing large portion of chemical called citral is named as lemon basil. Lemon basil is a hybrid between basil and African basil, lemon basil bring citrus scented basil as best fresh basil to be consumed among Southeast Asia culinary. Including Indonesian culinary is widely using this kind of lemon basil with its popular name as Kemangi and taking a role as accompaniment to fried fish, chicken or Duck along with suitable raw fresh vegetable. Since Javanese culinary was being adapted to Balinese culinary, Kemangi is also being use and became a family in Balinese ingredients. Many restaurants that offered seafood, duck or chicken menu always has Kemangi to accompany their food garnishes or just to be one of raw vegetables. Beside as green salad to be consumed, lemon scented inside Kemangi green leaf could use and give lemon scented in avoiding strong smelly of spicy sauce left in hands (for the one who consumed fish, duck or chicken food using hands). Not only lemon basil leaves is used for culinary action, but their seeds are produce gelatin called Selasih and became favorite component of dessert in Indonesia. Touch and feel one of this Balinese basil while you order scented Balinese culinary or dessert containing selasih and you can adventured to their world.
