In cooking, basil is most famously used to add a fresh, aromatic, and sweet-peppery flavor to a huge variety of dishes, shining brightest in Italian, Southeast Asian, and Mediterranean cuisines. It’s the soul of classic pesto, the perfect fresh counterpoint on a Margherita pizza, and the fragrant hero in a bowl of Thai green curry or Vietnamese pho.  Its primary taste is a fresh, green sweetness with a mild peppery kick, almost like a subtle anise or clove flavor.