gam1 bat1 wun6金不換金不换
Jyutpinggam1 bat1 wun6
Yalegām bāt wuhn
Definition
Thai basil; sweet basil.
colloquialfood
How it's used
Refers specifically to Thai basil in a culinary context, which is distinct from the sweet basil often used in Western cooking. The name implies that the herb is so valuable for its aroma that one would not trade it for gold. It is an essential ingredient in many Southeast Asian dishes found in local restaurants.
Examples
Adding some basil when cooking Thai curry makes it very fragrant.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with standard Western basil, as the flavour profiles are quite different. Using it in Italian pasta dishes will result in a very unexpected taste.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
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