Bitter pesto?
ryseryse_2004
9 years ago
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Full StoryIt is so frustrating when you have a problem, google it and find multiple answers. Then, you have to do your own homework! Answers to bitter pesto were: old EVOO, old pine nuts, used a food processor instead of a motar/pestle, and finally, old basil.
For me anyway, it is always old basil. If it is starting to bolt (going to seed) it will be bitter just as lettuce is when it bolts in the hot summer. The main problem is that when you taste the leaves, very often you don't get the bitter taste. Then, once you have added all the expensive ingredients, the bitterness is there.
So ---- make sure you use new tender leaves only. I just cut my basil plants back to the ground and won't make more until it has new growth.
John Liu
ryseryse_2004Original Author
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