Ocado Basil (Ocimum basilicum). Basil is best known for its rich, peppery aroma and flavour so is a welcome addition to most meat, poultry and fish dishes. The leaves are a perfect partner to sliced, fresh tomatoes and the stems, which are just as flavoursome, are ideal for whizzing into a homemade pesto. Basil has been used in Mediterranean and Asian cooking for centuries and was traditionally grown in warmer climates as it's very sensitive to cold conditions, so is often cultivated under glass in Europe. Top Tip! Basil contains many flavoursome, volatile oils that disappear if exposed to prolonged heat. To maximise the intense flavour, add the herb (torn, not sliced), at the end of the cooking process. Basil doesn't like to be chilled as it suffers from blackening leaves. Store in its original packaging or airtight container away from direct sunlight in a kitchen cupboard.