My Sweet Basil Tastes Bitter

Q: I’m growing sweet basil in a pot but the leaves taste very bitter. Any idea
what may be causing this, and how to prevent so it’s more enjoyable? 

A: Bitter basil most often occurs when a plant is allowed to flower. Even the
tiniest flower buds at the end of a branch can affect flavor in nearby leaves. If
you have been good about removing flowers immediately, but the leaves are
still bitter, you can prune each branch back to four leaves and give the plant
some houseplant fertilizer. Since you already have a large root system, the
buds at the base of the leaves will sprout new, vigorous growth. It won’t be
long before you have new sweet basil leaves to enjoy.