This article provides an overview of Tulsi, what it tastes like, its availability, alternative names, and of course what other ingredients make Tulsi substitutes.
What is Tulsi?
Tulsi is a plant that is native to the Indian subcontinent and is now widely cultivated throughout Southeast Asia. It is commonly used for religious purposes especially in Hinduism, as well as in traditional medicines, essential oils, and culinary purposes.
Tulsi is very common in Thai cuisine and a staple ingredient in one of the most famous Thai dishes, phat kaphrao.
What does Tulsi taste like?
Tulsi has a strong and pungent aroma that is very distinct. It has a somewhat bitter and spicy flavor that can be described as having peppery and floral notes.
Is Tulsi readily available in Supermarkets?
Tulsi should be available in major supermarkets, where it will be found in the fresh produce section, usually under the name ‘Thai basil’. Alternatively, it should be readily available online or in an Asian supermarket.
What are some alternative names for Tulsi?
Tulsi is a Hindi word that is more commonly referred to as holy basil, Thai basil, or Thai holy basil, in the English language, Tulasi in the Sanskrit language, and kaphrao in the Thai language.
What is a good substitute for Tulsi in recipes?
Luckily, there are a number of great substitutes for Tulsi which is important as unfortunately, Tulsi is not readily available outside of Asia. These include: