Jack Miller

You don’t need to refrigerate basil, and in fact, doing so is one of the fastest ways to ruin its bright, peppery flavor.   If you’ve ever wondered if you need to refrigerate basil, the simple answer is no, because cold air causes the leaves to bruise, blacken, and lose their aromatic oils.   So, … Read more

Yes, you need to prune basil, and it’s one of the most important things you can do for a healthy, bushy plant.   When you prune basil regularly, you’re not just tidying up, you’re actively encouraging new growth and preventing your plant from becoming leggy and bitter.   If you’ve ever wondered if you need … Read more

You do not keep fresh basil in the fridge if you want it to last, because the cold and damp conditions will quickly turn those vibrant green leaves into a sad, blackened mess.   Storing basil in the fridge is a common mistake, and it wrecks the flavor and texture that make fresh basil so … Read more

You don’t have to water basil every day, and in many cases, watering daily can actually harm your plant.   If you’ve been wondering whether you have to water basil every day, the short answer is no—basil thrives on a consistent but moderate watering schedule.   Watering basil every day often leads to soggy soil, … Read more

You can absolutely include basil stems in pesto, and you should.   Many home cooks toss them out without a second thought, but those stems are packed with the same bright, peppery basil flavor you love.   The trick is knowing how to handle them so your pesto stays smooth and creamy instead of turning … Read more