"I then add a little butter to the pan, some shallots, lemon thyme, purple basil and garlic," Mr. Kunz said.

Vodka infused with mild purple basil leaves lends a lilt to martinis garnished with yellow heirloom tomatoes.

Among them are yellow tomatoes, golden beets, Yukon potatoes, lemon thyme and purple basil.

Finally, there are the lustrous purple and opal basils.

The shredded purple basil, yellow-tinged morning glory leaves and hair-thin slices of red pepper between his heaven and earth is meant to look like clouds, tinged by sun.

"Plants with certain colors or strong odors - the purple basil has both - repel insects," Ms. Chase said.

Now they want opal or purple basil, and lemon basil.

Asian basil is similar to our purple basil and has a slight cinnamon flavor, but regular basil leaves can be substituted.

A chilled coulis of yellow tomatoes, purple basil and lemon thyme was refreshing and semisweet, with cubes of gelatinized beef consomme throughout.

Yellow tomatoes, low in acid, make a good meaty sauce to go with green fettuccine, mixed with black olives and small purple basil leaves.