Holy Basil vs Sweet Basil vs Hairy Basil: Which One Should You Use?

If you have ever searched for Thai basil and found several completely different herbs, you are not alone. Holy basil, Thai sweet basil and hairy basil all belong to the basil family, but each has its own aroma, appearance and place in Thai cooking.

Choosing the right one matters. Holy basil gives pad krapao its peppery fragrance, sweet basil brings aniseed notes to Thai curries, and hairy basil adds a fresh lemony aroma to soups and lighter dishes. Here is how to tell them apart and when to use each one.

The quick difference

What is holy basil?

Holy basil, known in Thai as bai krapao, is the basil used in one of Thailand’s best-loved stir-fries: pad krapao. Its flavour is peppery, savoury and slightly clove-like, without the strong liquorice sweetness of Thai sweet basil.

The leaves are usually thin and matte rather than glossy, with noticeably jagged or serrated edges. Depending on the variety, the stems and leaves may be green or tinged with purple. Holy basil is botanically known as Ocimum tenuiflorum and may also be labelled Ocimum sanctum or tulsi.

What dishes use holy basil?

Holy basil is best when you want a hot, aromatic flavour that works with garlic and chillies. Use it in:

• Pad krapao with minced pork, chicken, beef, seafood or tofu
• Pad cha and other spicy stir-fries
• Jungle curry
• Crispy meat or fish stir-fried with chilli and basil

Add the leaves towards the end of cooking and toss them through just until wilted. This keeps more of their fragrance in the finished dish.

Shop: Fresh Thai Holy Basil – Bai Krapao

What is Thai sweet basil?

Thai sweet basil, or bai horapha, is the variety most commonly sold simply as “Thai basil” in the UK. It has a sweeter fragrance than holy basil, with clear aniseed and liquorice notes.

It is usually the easiest of the three to recognise. Look for smooth, narrow green leaves, purple stems and, when present, purple flower spikes. Botanically, it belongs to Ocimum basilicum and is commonly listed as Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora.

What dishes use Thai sweet basil?

Thai sweet basil pairs especially well with coconut milk and rich, aromatic broths. Use it in:

• Thai green, red and panang curries
• Stir-fried seafood or clams
• Noodle soups
• Fresh spring rolls
• Pho and other Vietnamese noodle dishes

The leaves can be stirred into a curry shortly before serving or served raw alongside soups and rolls. They can handle a little heat, but prolonged cooking will still soften their fresh aroma.

Shop: Thai Sweet Basil – Bai Horapha

What is hairy basil?

Hairy basil is known as bai maenglak in Thai and is also called lemon basil. Its name comes from the fine hairs found on parts of the plant, particularly its young stems and flower heads. The leaves are generally smaller and softer than Thai sweet basil, with a bright citrus fragrance that becomes obvious as soon as they are rubbed or torn.

Its accepted botanical name is Ocimum × africanum, although you may also see older names such as Ocimum citriodorum or Ocimum africanum. These different labels are one reason hairy basil can be harder to identify when shopping outside Thailand.

What dishes use hairy basil?

Hairy basil works well in dishes where its fresh lemony character can lift a broth or fragrant curry. Use it in:

• Gaeng liang, a peppery Thai vegetable soup
• Light soups and broths
• Fish and seafood dishes
• Fragrant curries
• Dishes that specifically call for lemon basil or maenglak

Its aroma is more delicate than the other two varieties, so add the leaves near the end of cooking. Hairy basil seeds are also used in drinks and desserts, but the seeds and fresh leaves serve different purposes and are not interchangeable.

Shop: Hairy Basil – Bai Meng Rak

Are the three basils interchangeable?

Not really. You can still make an enjoyable dish with a substitute, but it will not taste the same because the three herbs have very different aromatic profiles.

• For pad krapao: Use holy basil whenever possible. Thai sweet basil will make the dish sweeter and more liquorice-like. It will still be a basil stir-fry, but it will not have the characteristic flavour that gives pad krapao its name.
• For Thai curry: Thai sweet basil is normally the best choice. Ordinary Italian sweet basil can work in an emergency, although it lacks the same aniseed fragrance.
• For a recipe calling for hairy basil: Another lemon basil is the closest substitute. Thai sweet basil with a very small amount of fresh lemon zest can suggest the citrus note, but it will not recreate maenglak exactly.

If a recipe only says “Thai basil”, look at the dish rather than the wording. A pad krapao recipe normally means holy basil, while a green curry recipe usually means Thai sweet basil.

How to identify Thai basil at a glance

The quickest test is to combine appearance with aroma:

• Check the leaf edge. Holy basil has the most obviously jagged, serrated leaves.
• Look at the stems. Thai sweet basil commonly has deep purple stems, although colour alone is not conclusive because some holy basil is purple too.
• Smell a leaf. Holy basil smells peppery and clove-like, Thai sweet basil smells of aniseed or liquorice, and hairy basil smells distinctly lemony.
• Notice the texture. Thai sweet basil tends to look smoother and glossier. Holy and hairy basil are softer and may have a slightly fuzzy texture.

How to store fresh Thai basil

All three are delicate herbs, so avoid crushing the leaves and wash them only when you are ready to cook. Keep the basil dry in its packaging, away from the coldest part of the fridge, and use it as soon as possible. Darkening or black patches can develop when basil is bruised or kept too cold.

Before cooking, pick the leaves from any tough lower stems. Tender tips and young stems can usually go straight into the dish.

Frequently asked questions

Is Thai basil the same as holy basil?

No. “Thai basil” usually refers to Thai sweet basil or bai horapha, which has smooth leaves, purple stems and an aniseed fragrance. Holy basil or bai krapao is a different species with jagged leaves and a peppery, clove-like flavour.

Which basil should I use for pad krapao?

Use holy basil. The word krapao refers to holy basil, so it is one of the defining ingredients in the dish.

Which basil is used in Thai green curry?

Thai sweet basil, or bai horapha, is the traditional choice. Its sweet aniseed aroma works particularly well with coconut milk and green curry paste.

Is hairy basil the same as lemon basil?

In Thai grocery and cooking contexts, hairy basil or bai maenglak is commonly called lemon basil because of its citrus aroma. Botanical labels can vary, so checking for the Thai name and smelling the leaves is often more useful than relying on the English name alone.

Can I eat Thai basil raw?

Thai sweet basil is often eaten raw with noodle soups and in fresh rolls. Holy basil is more commonly cooked, while hairy basil may be used fresh or added at the end of cooking depending on the dish.

Find the right basil for your next Thai dish

The easiest way to remember the difference is: holy basil for heat, sweet basil for aniseed and hairy basil for citrus.

Shop fresh holy basil, Thai sweet basil and hairy basil online at Muay Supermarket.

Fresh delivery every Monday · Dispatched shortly after arrival