The diversity of basil is a good example of how food culture has influenced backyard plant breeding. Pesto is a regional dish from Genoa, Italy. Genovese gardeners selected basil for the qualities they felt made the best pesto especially the ability to pestare, or to pound, the leaves. Thai basils, on the other hand, were bred for their strong, rich aromas that did not diminish during stir-frying. Find a purpose for every basil in this mix, which includes Lemon, Cinnamon, Thai, Purple and Genovese Basil.
