[Floody]

I'm going to grow lots of Basil next year but I never knew there were so many different varieties out there!

Which is the best, d'you think?

(Two questions in two minutes - guess who's looking through the 2015 seed catalogue!!!    )

[TheWhiteRabbit]

I'd go with the classic Genovese for an Italian type basil. I tried the giant leaf Basil and it wasn't a patch on the regular stuff.

I also grew Thai basil this year, mostly because I love thai curries and thai basil leaves are surprisingly hard to find! I have to say it was a doddle to grow and cropped well. The leaves also freeze well so a couple of decent sized plants should keep you in thai curries for the year.

[BabbyAnn]

I'd go along with Sweet Genovese although I once bought a selection of basil seeds just to see what they were like, and the aromas of the Lime, Lemon and Cinnamon were just exquisite.  Comparing them all with a few others such as Greek was quite an interesting taste challenge 

[compostqueen]

Greek is strong! 

I love the bubbly leaf one, bolloso. 

I like the big leafed ones for wrapping balls of Mozzarella

The  common or garden sweet basil is my bog standard one, which I always try and have a pot of on the go.  If you keep sowing pots successionally it's possible to have a supply most of the year. You might struggle through winter with low light levels but you could sow a pot now

I love the lemon basil. Mmmmmmmmmm

[mumofstig]

Greek is strong! 

It sure is - it's very nearly as strong a taste as Oregano - if you taste them side by side 

[Comfr3y]

thai basil = brilliant

[sunshineband]

I always have the common ole sweet Genoese basil as it makes such wonderful pesto, plus the small leaved greek one (expect this year when it bit the dust very early on  ) for anything needing a real kick, such as a sprinkle in a fresh tomato salad

Others are always worth a try - I have never had one I didn't like 

[AnneB]

I quite like a red one called Red Rubin and the small Greek one too.