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MIT researchers hacked agriculture to create what may be the tastiest basil on earth

Note: On Oct. 25, 2021, the PLOS journal reporting the research discussed in this article retracted the publication.

By Martin Finucane 

Want the best Caprese salad or pesto you ever tasted?

MIT researchers say they may be able to help. They say they’ve created what might be the most delicious basil ever grown, after testing varying light conditions on the plants.

Their surprising discovery: 24-hour light makes for the most scrumptious herb.

But the researchers also say it’s not what they learned about basil, it’s how they reached their results that’s important.

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