The Asia Ip and Britton varieties come from Johnny’s Seeds. The green shiso is grown from the seed stock of shiso originally purchased locally at Leilani’s Nursery in Waimanalo. Green is a staple, the type you get in sushi. Britton is pretty, but a little less tender. Asia Ip is […]
Herb
Tulsi, or holy basil, is a medicinal herb used for tea. Considered sacred in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, it is believed to be promote longevity. The purple leaf variety is known to have a slightly spicy, peppery flavor.
Both varieties are dwarf basil that produce heavily branched plants with tiny, dark green leaves. The leaves have a good basil aroma and a fine basil flavor. The plants are compact, globe-shaped and reach 7 to 8″ in height at full maturity. Excellent for both open field and pot production, […]
Mexican Mint Marigold has aromatic leaves which are often used as a substitute for French Tarragon. Sweet licorice flavor brightens salads and main dishes. The edible, pretty, golden-yellow flowers bloom all summer. Thrives in warmer climates where French tarragon will not grow. Also known as sweet mace or Mexican tarragon. […]
This particular basil variety is from Johnny’s Seeds, where I purchase a number of my plant seeds. Although I’ve found this variety is less heat-tolerant than other basil varieties, the herb is more fragrant, evoking the scent one would expect of a typical Italian basil. As with all basil, be […]
Chives, scientific name Allium schoenoprasum, are an edible species of the genus Allium. Their close relatives include the garlic, shallot, leek, scallion, and Chinese onion. A perennial plant, it is widespread in nature across much of Europe, Asia, and North America. This variety has white flowers and reproduces by bunching […]
Epazote (pronounced eh-pah-ZOH-teh) is an aromatic herb; both the fresh leaves and tender stems are used in cooking. The epazote plant is a leafy annual or short-lived perennial plant that can reach 4 feet in height. Its dark green, long, slender, jagged leaves end in a point. The flowers are green and […]
Rau ram, also known as Vietnamese Coriander or Vietnamese mint is well known in Vietnamese cooking. Often pronounced as ‘zow-zam’, it is used as a cilantro substitute. Rau ram can often be substituted for either cilantro or mint. In Malaysia, the plant is known as laksa and often served there […]
Thai basil is widely used in the cuisines of Southeast Asia, including Thai, Vietnamese, Lao, and Cambodian cuisines. In addition to having a basil flavor, the herb has overtones of anise and licorice. It is a welcome addition to any Hawaii garden, as it is a tropical perennial that can be harvested throughout the year. […]
