I remember the first time I ever saw basil seeds. It was in the drink aisle of a gigantic Asian grocery store. I did a double-take; basil seeds? In a drink? Obviously, I had to try one.
The beverage was citrusy and filled with floating, gelatinous seeds with the texture of tapioca. It was unfamiliar to me, and at first, I thought the texture was a little slimy—but I actually enjoyed it. The seeds gave the drink a bit of chewy substance, and imparted a light, herbaceous flavor to the lemony drink.
Fair warning: you probably won’t like basil seeds if you’re not a fan of other “slimy” things: okra, tapioca, and, most similar in texture to basil seeds, chia seed pudding. But if you’re open to it, basil seeds are definitely worth a try—especially since they’re rumored to have a whole host of health benefits.
The seeds are, as their name suggests, from the Thai basil plant (not the holy basil plant). They’re similar in size to chia seeds, and also become gelatinous when wet—though they still retain their crunchy interior.
Also called sabja in Indian culture the seeds have a mild floral flavor and are typically used as a thickening agent for beverages. One especially popular drink featuring basil seeds is faluda, a dessert beverage from India which is a combination of soaked basil seeds, rose syrup, vermicelli noodles, and milk. Sometimes it’s even topped off with ice cream. The drink is consumed during hot months in India, as basil seeds are believed to have cooling and soothing properties.
"I've been enjoying faluda for as long as I can remember, though I particularly associate it with Saturdays," shares Associate Editor Nikkitha Bakshani. "It was something my family and I would drink after an afternoon movie, say, or in lieu of the usual tea and biscuits at home. Basil seeds are my favorite part of faluda—yes, even more than the rose milk—because it gives the whole drink a gelatinous, en-route-to-panna-cotta texture that drives my entire family wild. Seriously; my mom is known to spontaneously break into a demand for faluda."
Basil and its seeds have been used in Chinese and ayurvedic medicine practices for centuries. They’re most well-known for being a digestive aid and soothing upset stomachs.
According to the ladies of C&J Nutrition, our health knowledge gurus, some preliminary research in mice shows that there may be a connection between basil seed extract and reduced complications of type 2 diabetes (though the connection to humans remains unclear). They’re also rumored to help relieve constipation, most likely because they contain dietary fiber. Not exactly the sexiest of properties, but hey—it’s useful.
Basil leaves are high in Vitamin K, which reduces risk of blood clotting. We can hazard a guess that these benefits will extend to basil seeds as well, though it’s not 100% clear.
On the whole, very little scientific research has been done on basil seeds to date, perhaps due to the fact that they’re still a pretty niche product in the U.S. But regardless, they’re delicious and a fun ingredient to incorporate into your summer repertoire.
Basil seeds are an excellent addition to lemonade iced milky tea, or any sort of fresh juice (we really want to try them with watermelon juice). Just let them soak in the liquid for at least five minutes to let them gel.
You can also pre-soak basil seeds and keep them on hand to spoon onto your morning yogurt, or add some texture and floral taste to gelato or fruity sorbet. Or turn them into a pudding a la chia seeds by soaking them in the milk of your choice (coconut milk would be especially good). Or you could also mix basil seeds into ricotta along with basil leaves for a creamy, herbaceous pasta topping or crostata spread.
If you want to try basil seeds yourself, here’s a handy preparation formula from Max Falkowitz at Serious Eats: 1 teaspoon of the seeds soaked in 8 ounces of liquid (water, lemonade, or even alcohol will do) will expand into about 3 tablespoons of gellated orbs in about five minutes.
1. Breakfast Chia Seed Pudding
Thick, rich, sweet pudding, for breakfast! Chia seeds—or, better yet, basil seeds—plump up in nutty date caramel till the mixture reaches a luscious consistency. Then the whole thing is topped with cinnamon and fresh fruit of your choosing (blueberries, peaches, plums, anything goes).
2. Blueberry Cardamom Chia Seed Pudding
Another divine pudding-for-breakfast scenario, complete with warming cardamom and cinnamon, silky almond or coconut milk, and nutty, crunchy basil or chia seeds. Maple syrup gives the mixture a sweet but not too sugary lift and a caramel-rich flavor.
3. Coconut Stovetop Oats With Avocado, Chia & Almond Butter
Upgrade your everyday oatmeal with a bit of velvet and crunch from basil (or chia) seeds, some crispy coconut flakes, and a smooth-as-butter avocado (yes, really!). This breakfast can skew savory or sweet—if you want to go savory, omit the cinnamon and add a dash of salt and sriracha.
4. Strawberry Oat Crumble Bars
Basil seeds will get you super-tasty, no-cook strawberry jam. This jam will get you super-tasty, no-fuss oaty jam bars. These bars will get you a happy breakfast, or snacktime, or dessert.
5. My New Roots' Life-Changing Loaf Of Bread
Packed with a rich array of flavors and textures (thanks to six types of nuts, grains, and seeds!), and not a speck of flour, it's no surprise that this loaf of bread is truly life-changing. A swipe of salted butter, heap of mashed avocado, or swirl of jam will all feel equally at home on a slice of this stuff.
6. Falooda
Part-milkshake, part-sundae, all-delicious, falooda may be the pinnacle of South Asian treats—it's both highly refreshing and texturally interesting, to boot. Vanilla ice cream, custardy basil seeds, rice vermicelli, and a drizzle of rose syrup combine beautifully to create one of the most unique desserts you'll every taste.
You can track down some basil seeds at larger Asian grocery stores and, of course, the internet. If you’re feeling especially thrifty, you can even harvest your own from that basil plant on your window! Pluck off its flowered stalks and let them dry, then gently break them apart with your fingertips and sift out the small black seeds.
Basil seeds may not cure all your digestive woes, but if you want to switch up your chia seed game or just want to add a new drink into your summer beverage rotation, try some basil seeds on for size.
Written by: Catherine Lamb
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12 Comments
I bought mine at an Asian supermarket near me (Lucky Supermarket in Surrey, BC, Canada), and the packaging was Vietnamese, in case that gives anyone any clues as to where to find it near them.
https://tinyurl.com/2xtjhcfp
Description: Zen Basil Seeds | Edible Basil Seeds USDA Organic, Kosher, Non-GMO, Lectin-free, Gluten-free, Plant-Based, Vegan, Keto, Paleo | 8g Fiber Per Serving | 14oz
No, Vitamin K actually helps blood to clot, not the other way around. If one is on blood thinners, they are to avoid Vitamin K-rich foods.
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