Fresh Basil (Green, Red)
Fresh basil (Ocimum basilicum) specifications cover physical traits, quality grading, and post-harvest storage requirements to ensure optimal freshness and marketability.
Description
Physical Specifications
- Appearance: Smooth, glossy, oval or slightly toothed leaves arranged in pairs along finely ridged, square stems covered in fine hairs.
- Color: Bright to vibrant natural green leaves and stems.
- Aroma & Taste: Strong, sweet yet spicy aroma (often clove or anise-like) with a peppery, pungent flavor; free of off-odors or tastes.
- Size Requirements: Bunch lengths typically range from 14 cm to 30 cm, with individual bunch weights generally exceeding 70g depending on commercial grades.
- Maturity: Young, tender stems and leaves; flower buds may be present but must not be fully open
Quality Grades & Defects
- Grade A / Class One: Premium quality with zero tolerance for live insects, visible rot, mold, mechanical holes, wilting, or yellowing.
- Grade B: Allows minor tolerances (up to 2%) for leaf yellowing, flowering, or slight wilting.
- Rejection Criteria: Presence of live pests, bacterial/fungal rots, black/dry necrotic areas, or weed contamination above 2%
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