On 4th June, the 9th edition of the Pesto al Mortaio World Championship will be held at Palazzo Ducale in Genoa: over 100 competitors will compete in the Genoese tradition.

Also participating for the first time will be the 'Robot Bimanual Torso' of the Italian Institute of Technology, capable of imitating human movements without the need for programming.

What better occasion then to introduce you to basil, the prince of Mediterranean aromatics?
Of very ancient origins, the Egyptians already considered it a sacred plant, it owes its name to the Greek basilikós, royal, to emphasise its nature as a prized herb. It was the Romans who introduced the plant to Liguria, initially localised only in Genoa, it soon spread to the entire maritime strip of the Ligurian territory.

It is an annual plant with oval lanceolate leaves that vary from pale green to deep green. Depending on the variety, however, it can also take on purple hues: there are more than 50 varieties that differ in appearance and aroma.
Basil is a perfect aromatic for your garden, easily grown both in the ground and in pots.