When you think of Italy, you think of a giant, bright green basil leaf on a pizza or on a plate of spaghetti. Well, this basil is most likely Bolloso Napoletano, a popular heirloom variety from the Naples area. It is highly valued for the intense scent of its large, blistered leaves. In ancient times, basil was considered a magical plant and was sacred to Venus, the goddess of love. Perhaps for this reason we find one of the strangest love stories surrounding the basil plant in Boccaccio's Decameron. We don't want to give any spoilers here, so take a trip to southern Italy and ask about Elisabetta da Messina and her beloved Lorenzo. You may be pointed to the nearest pot of fragrant basil.