Basil / Sweet basil

Botanical classification

Family: Labiatae
Genus: Ocymum
Species: Ocymum basilicum L.

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Basil is an exotic plant originally from tropical Asia, widely cultivated in Europe in various varieties.
The name comes from the Greek βασιλε?ς (basileus) "king", and - in Latin - basilicum, "real", due to the great importance given to this aromatic herb.
Basil is an annual herbaceous plant, normally grown as an aromatic plant, for its characteristic and marked scent and aroma.
Basil is very common in the Mediterranean and temperate areas, so much so that in Italy it has acquired the title of king of Made in Italy cuisine and of true excellence of the Ligurian territory, being among other things the main ingredient of Genoese pesto.
In 2018, according to Istat data, over 27,000 hectares of protected crops were cultivated in Italy for a production of 9,000 tons.