Meet, Purple Basil: The Antioxidant-Packed Herb To Try This Summer

If there's one fresh herb I use most often, it's probably basil. In fact, it's one of the few plants I find I can cultivate successfully, so a basil plant is a common sight on my windowsill or porch.

But have you ever considered how many types of basil there are? Beyond the sweet Genovese and Thai varieties that we see most in supermarkets, there's plenty more to try—and some of them even have unique benefits.

Sweet basil is the type that's most frequently referred to as just "basil," so we'll reference this one for comparison with the purple variety. According to vegan chef Priyanka Naik: "Purple basil has the same flavor profile of sweet green basil, but amplified," she wrote on Instagram. "Stronger smell, stronger taste, and overall a bit more flavorful."

Separate from its flavor differences, that color is a pretty clear distinguisher, too. "Purple basil has anthocyanin1, which gives it the beautiful purple pigment," shares Naik. If you're thinking that anthocyanin sounds familiar, that's because it's the same phytochemical that gives red onions, pomegranates, and purple sweet potatoes their hues.

Once you pick up a bunch of purple basil (or grow it yourself because basil is always a great at-home herb plant), consider trying recipes with a high concentration of the herb (for all those antioxidant benefits).