In this study, we determined the effect of cultivar on total and individual anthocyanin concentrations andphenolic acid levels in eight purple basil varieties and examined the relationship between anthocyanincontent, phenolic acid composition, and antioxidant properties. Cultivar had a significant influence ontotal anthocyanin concentrations as well as individual anthocyanin composition. The four major basilanthocyanins (labelled A–D) were quantified and cultivar had a statistically and anthocyanin composition was also an important facto