Why doesnt my basil taste good?

Question

I have a couple of basil plants growing in my garden and they are getting to be about eight or nine inches tall with several branches and lots of leaves. this morning I pulled off a leaf to see if it had a good aroma, but it just tastes like eating a leaf off of any weed or tree!! why doesnt it taste like basil? is it not mature enough? it has been growing since april.

Answer 1

Agreed with the others about variety and sun.   Other factors,,, too much nitrogen and too much water.  Basil grows quickly.   Depending on your zone, it's not too late to try another type.   If it has been growing since April (more than 2 months)  it propbably is all it's ever gonna be.

Previous answer by gardenji..  has a good point.  There are a few weeds that look similar to the first time grower.    Could your basil have died and had a weed grow in it's place?   Could you take a photo to post?

Answer 2

Herbs generally develop best flavor when grown in full sun, fairly dry.  Genetics also plays a big part in flavor, so some basil strains just won't have the flavor of others.

Just for grins, look at the variety of basils Richter's has:

http://www.richters.com/Web_store/web_st...

Answer 3

Are you sure that the leaf you tried is basil? All my basil leaves have an intense odor.

Answer 4

Hi,

Is the basil also producing flowers and has the weather been quite warm? If so, it is bolting.  When herbs and leafy greens like lettuce or spinach bolt, they're at a mature stage of reproduction that also often comes along with bitter leaves. I don't believe there's any recourse other than replanting...

If the basil has never tasted like basil, though, even when the plant was young, then you may just have the wrong type, as other answers have suggested...

Answer 5

There are many varieties of basil - including some that are only intended to smell good, not necessarily taste good.  Check the variety you have & see what type it is.

Answer 6

Basil has a distinctive flavour right from the smallest plant, so I think you have been sold or given the wrong thing.