Herb
Dark Opal
C tier
Dark Opal is a classic purple basil that tints vinegars pink-purple and offers mild spicy-sweet basil flavour—heritage ornamental-culinary cultivar. Steep in white wine vinegar for coloured basil vinegar. Salad use for colour. Less ideal than Genovese for green pesto.
Track this ingredient
Unit
Characteristics
Preparations
ChoppedDriedFreshGarnishInfusedPestoTorn
Traits
ColouringHeritageMildMild SpicePurplePurple BasilSpicy SweetVinegar Colouring
History
US
Dark Opal was selected and released as a purple basil.
US
AAS recognition boosted Dark Opal popularity.
Herb vinegars made Dark Opal a home-preserving favourite.
Heirloom catalogues kept Dark Opal in print.