is thai basil the same as sweet basil
Thai basil
Sweet basil ( Ocimum basilicum ) has multiple cultivars , of which Thai basil , O. basilicum var . thyrsiflora , is one variety . Thai basil itself has multiple cultivars . One cultivar commonly grown in the United States is ' Siam Queen ' . Thai basil may sometimes be called anise basil or licorice basil , in reference to its anise - and licorice - like scent and taste , but it is different from the Western strains bearing these same names . Occasionally , Thai basil may also be called cinnamon basil , which is also its literal name in Vietnamese , but cinnamon basil typically refers to a separate cultivar of basil . The genus name Ocimum is derived from the Greek word meaning `` to smell '' , which is appropriate for most members of the plant family Lamiaceae , also known as the mint family . With over 40 cultivars of basil , this abundance of flavors , aromas , and colors leads to confusion when identifying specific cultivars . 
Sweet basil ( Ocimum basilicum ) has multiple cultivars , of which Thai basil , O. basilicum var . thyrsiflora , is one variety . Thai basil itself has multiple cultivars . One cultivar commonly grown in the United States is ' Siam Queen ' . Thai basil may sometimes be called anise basil or licorice basil , in reference to its anise - and licorice - like scent and taste , but it is different from the Western strains bearing these same names . Occasionally , Thai basil may also be called cinnamon basil , which is also its literal name in Vietnamese , but cinnamon basil typically refers to a separate cultivar of basil . The genus name Ocimum is derived from the Greek word meaning `` to smell '' , which is appropriate for most members of the plant family Lamiaceae , also known as the mint family . With over 40 cultivars of basil , this abundance of flavors , aromas , and colors leads to confusion when identifying specific cultivars .
Thai basil (o. basilicum var. thyrsiflora) is one of the sweet basil cultivars. It is one of its varieties that have specific characteristics.
Sweet basil ( Ocimum basilicum ) has multiple cultivars , of which Thai basil , O. basilicum var . thyrsiflora , is one variety . Thai basil itself has multiple cultivars . Thai basil may sometimes be called anise basil or licorice basil , in reference to its anise - and licorice - like scent and taste , but it is different from the Western strains bearing these same names . Occasionally , Thai basil may also be called cinnamon basil , which is also its literal name in Vietnamese , but cinnamon basil typically refers to a separate cultivar of basil .