Quick Answer
Strawberry basil has a sweet, fruity taste with an herbal undertone from the basil. The strawberry flavor is dominant, with the basil adding a subtle complementary flavor. Overall, it has a refreshing summery taste.
In-Depth Answer
Strawberry basil is a unique flavor combination that works surprisingly well together. The sweet juiciness of ripe strawberries paired with the slight spiciness of basil creates a complex, nuanced flavor profile.
When you first bite into something containing strawberry basil, the strawberry taste hits your palate first. The initial taste is sweet, jammy, and distinctly strawberry. As you continue to chew, the subtler basil notes start to emerge. The basil adds an unexpected herbal component that enhances the berry flavor.
The basil flavor is mild and does not overwhelm the strawberries. Instead, it lingers gently in the background, adding a touch of earthiness. The basil also helps cut through and balance out the strawberry sweetness. It brings a hint of spice and even slight minty quality.
Overall, the taste experience can be described as sweet strawberry goodness with an intriguing herbal twist. The juice from the ripe strawberries along with their characteristic fruity aroma dominates, while the basil adds complementary undertones. The contrast works well together to create a refreshing and complex flavor.
How do strawberries and basil work together flavor-wise?
There are several reasons why strawberries and basil pair so nicely from a flavor perspective:
- Sweetness – Ripe, in-season strawberries have an inherent sweetness from natural sugars that contrasts with the more savory, earthy basil.
- Fruitiness – Strawberries have a distinct fruity flavor from fragrant compounds like furaneol, which interacts pleasantly with the floral notes of basil.
- Acidity – Strawberries offer bright acidity, which helps balance the slight spiciness of basil.
- Aroma – Both ingredients have strong aromatic compounds that complement each other.
- Freshness – Strawberry and basil both evoke summer freshness, creating a light and refreshing combo.
Additionally, from a molecular standpoint, volatility of flavor compounds allows tastes and aromas to cross over. This allows the characteristic strawberry esters to blend with the basil terpenes for a cohesive sensory experience.
What foods and dishes use strawberry basil?
Here are some popular ways strawberry basil is used in cooking and cocktails:
- Salads – Strawberry basil shines in fruit and green salads, adding sweetness and herbaceous notes.
- Vinaigrettes – Puréed strawberry basil makes a delicious salad dressing or vinaigrette.
- Salsas – Diced strawberries and chopped basil create refreshing salsas for fish, chicken, or dipping.
- Pizza – Strawberry basil is a creative pizza topping, playing off the classic tomato basil combo.
- Jams – Cooked into sweet jams, strawberry basil has a nice twist on traditional strawberry preserves.
- Cocktails – Muddled strawberry basil is popular in alcoholic drinks like the strawberry basil mojito.
- Desserts – From shortcakes to ice cream, strawberry basil enhances many strawberry desserts.
- Infused water – Soaking strawberries and basil together creates a flavorful infused water.
In savory applications, strawberry basil also pairs well with ingredients like balsamic vinegar, black pepper, and cheeses like mozzarella, ricotta or goat cheese.
What does strawberry basil smell like?
The aroma of strawberry basil has layers of fruity, floral, and herbal notes that make for a very pleasant smelling combination:
- The strawberry contributes a distinctly sweet, jammy berry smell.
- Basil has a more herbal, almost peppery fragrance with subtle floral undertones.
- Together, those contrasting scents mingle to create an aroma that is fruit-forward with delicate herbaceous background notes.
When mashed or cut, the strawberries tend to dominate the scent. Their short-chain esters give a distinctly berry aroma. Meanwhile, the basil scent profile leans on long-chain alcohols and aldehydes, creating a milder complementary smell.
Overall, the aroma of strawberry basil is well-balanced and harmonious. The recognizable strawberry smell intermixing with delicate herbal nuances is quite pleasant and evokes summer gardens and markets.
Does the type of basil used make a difference?
Yes, the variety and cultivar of basil can influence the flavor when paired with strawberries. Some types to try:
- Sweet basil – The most common basil used. It has a familiar sweet, peppery taste that pairs well with the strawberries.
- Lemon basil – Adds a nice citrusy note and acidity to balance out the sweetness.
- Cinnamon basil – Has a spicy flavor that enhances the strawberry flavor.
- Thai basil – More intense licorice-anise flavor that makes an interesting combo.
The firmer, smaller-leaf basils like Genovese or Greek basil hold up best for cooking. Bigger, more delicate basils like Italian large leaf are better for fresh applications.
In general, the sweeter and more aromatically dominant basils complement strawberries the best. The fruitiness of the strawberries can get lost with strongly flavored varieties.
What’s the best way to incorporate strawberry basil into recipes?
Here are some tips for working with strawberry basil:
- Wash and pat dry basil leaves to avoid bruising.
- Hull strawberries and slice or dice depending on the dish.
- Combine chopped strawberries and basil leaves. Let sit 5-10 minutes so flavors can mingle.
- Add at the end of cooking for fresh flavor. Extended cooking can dull tastes.
- Use a chiffonade cut on basil leaves to release more essential oils.
- Make a quick purée to use as a sauce component or salad dressing base.
- For cocktails, muddle sliced strawberries and basil leaves together.
- Infuse vinegars or oils by soaking basil and thinly sliced berries together.
Getting the strawberry to basil ratio right helps balance the flavors. Typically equal parts or slightly more strawberry works best. Tasting the combo helps determine amounts.
Conclusion
Strawberry basil is an intriguing flavor pairing that offers the best of both fruits and herbs. The sweet strawberry taste complemented by bright, herbal basil creates a refreshing flavor profile perfect for summer. Understanding how to properly handle and combine the ingredients results in optimal strawberry basil flavor in anything from salads to desserts. While an unusual blend, the tastes of strawberry and basil come together in harmonious balance.
