Best type of basil for Neapolitan-style pizzas

[dbarneschi]

I'm wondering what type of basil is best for Neapolitan-style pizzas. I usually work with the packaged basil from either Whole Foods or Trader Joe's. The leaves are very large and dark green with a matte finish, a somewhat jagged edge and "floppier" texture. On the other hand, the basil plants I have purchased usually have smaller, rounder, shinier, bright green leaves and a "firmer" texture. I seem to prefer the former type, but I am unsure as to what it is called (I believe the ones from Trader Joe's are labeled as being from Israel, FWIW) and where it can be purchased in plant or seed form (I'm sure it isn't Thai basil). Does anyone have any insight or recommendations on types of basil? Thanks!

[TXCraig1]

The one that tastes best?

[dbarneschi]

The one that tastes best?

Haha...and that would be... 

[pizzaboyfan]

I've also seen the Israeli basil in my local stores.
It's always in a large bunch, and I wondered why or how they managed to sell so much basil for a few dollars.
Seems like in Israel, they figured out how to produce basil trees.

http://www.greenprophet.com/2012/03/israeli-technology-creates-the-basil-tree/

[TXCraig1]

Haha...and that would be... 

I was only half joking. It doesn't matter what I think or anyone else thinks. It's going on your pies, you should like it.

[TXCraig1]

This might help:

http://www.pizzamaking.com/forum/index.php/topic,1273.0.html
http://www.gardenguides.com/2650-napoletano-basil-seeds-bulbs.html

[dbarneschi]

This might help:

http://www.pizzamaking.com/forum/index.php/topic,1273.0.html
http://www.gardenguides.com/2650-napoletano-basil-seeds-bulbs.html

Thanks Craig. Just bought some seeds from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006BK652/?tag=pmak-20

I'll let you know how they work out.

[TXCraig1]

Thanks for the Amazon link. I just bought a pack too.

CL

[TXCraig1]

I planted some yesterday. We'll see what happens.

[DocSpine]

Thanks for link. I can't wait to see what weird cross pollination occurs between the Neapolitan basil and my Thai basil. Should be a wild pizza making time next year. 

Hmmm hoisin sauce instead of tomato, rice flour......... 

[buceriasdon]

I have found it best to cut hoisin sauce with a bit of tomato sauce or puree otherwise it is quite overpowering by itself, at least to my tastes.
Reply 14  :   http://www.pizzamaking.com/forum/index.php/topic,12908.0.html
Don

Hmmm hoisin sauce instead of tomato, rice flour......... 

[TXCraig1]

Thanks for link. I can't wait to see what weird cross pollination occurs between the Neapolitan basil and my Thai basil. Should be a wild pizza making time next year.

I've had sweet basil growing right next to Thai basil for 9 years now. Every year both volunteer from seed and I've never seen anything that looks like a hybrid.

CL

[DocSpine]

Fake Texan rivalry accent " Well that there's in Houston, I am in Dallas" lol 

Hybrids happen but not always.

[TXCraig1]

I planted some yesterday. We'll see what happens.

Basil Napoletano

Here they come. Will thin to a couple plants in the next week or so.

[TXCraig1]

Getting bigger.

[moose13]

I was buying fresh basil from the market. It would always go bad before i could use it all.
My wife planted some in little pots on the kitchen window, grows fast and tastes great. Best of all i always have fresh basil and never have to throw it away.

[Pennino]

  I have come to realize, that the marriage of tomato and basil is a match made in heaven. I just have eaten 2 slices of pie leftover from last nite, with a basil flower bud on each slice. My basil grows like a weed here. I always pinch the flower buds off (if you let them flower, it degrades leaf production and flavor), but save them because they are as tasty as the leaves. My basil is a sweet Italian type, real name I'm not sure of. When it comes down to basil, fresh is the best.

[TXCraig1]

This stuff is really incredible. Best flavor I've found yet.

CL

[TXCraig1]

Yes, that is a pineapple in the foreground of the first picture.