Thai Basil(Tukmaria)-Siam Princess

Siam Princess is the most flavorful of the Thai basils, or Ocimum basilicum. Siam Princess has small green and purplish leaves with red stems and purple flowers. Grows 12-18". An essential ingredient is Southeast Asian cooking, it adds its dinstinctive anise/clove flavor in curries and spicy dishes, or as a fragrant ornamental in the herb or flower garden. Known as horapa in Thai. Also used in Vietnamese dishes where it is known as hung que. A plate of raw Thai basil is often served as an accompaniment to Pho. In India the seeds, also known as tukmaria or sabja, are utilized in making falooda a dessert popular in India and the Middle East. Soak the seeds in water to turn it into a jelly that can be then added to vermicelli, rose syrup, pistachios, cardamom, ice cream and milk to create this tasty and cooling concoction.