Perfect For Different Types of Dishes In the Mint Family Rich Heirloom History Cool Beans & Sprouts Brand Thai basil has a distinct smell and flavor that make you imagine you’re seated in a restaurant at some exotic, distant land. It’s a perfect ingredient for different types of dishes, making it more savory.Thai basil (Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora) is a pleasant-smelling plant from the mint family. It has a rich history in Asia, from where Alexander the Great brought it to Greece, spreading it to Europe. The Latin name means “a scent fit for the king’s palace.” It is a gentle plant that takes some effort to grow but is wholly rewarding. Thai basil is a plant popular in Southeast Asia as a decorative plant and a flavoring in recipes. It can grow up to 1.5 feet and have blue, purple, or pink flowers. Yet, the Thai basil stem is always purple and square. That’s why it’s also called “purple Thai basil.” The leaves are shiny, narrow, and serrated. Thai basil seeds can be brown or black and are also known as “nutlets.”