Bay leaves, also known as sweet bay or laurel, come from an evergreen tree native to the Mediterranean. They are used in cooking, as well as in crafts and cosmetics. Bay leaves were also used in ancient Greece to crown athletic and literary champions.
Bay leaves, Laurus nobilis, are an herb also known as sweet bay, laurel, and Turkish bay. The last cognomen is to distinguish it from California bay, which is similar, but distinct – a plant called Umbellularia Californica.
History. The winners of athletic competitions in ancient Greece were crowned with a laurel wreath or laurel leaves. Poets, statesmen and war heroes of ancient times were also so honored. Laurel was considered sacred to the god Apollo.
Description. Bay leaves come from an evergreen bush or tree that can reach a height of 3 to 6 meters (10 to 20 feet). The leaves are long and pointed. The plant is native to the Mediterranean.
Gardening. Outdoors, bay trees do best in partial shade. They should be planted in soil with good drainage. They are also grown indoors as houseplants, in which case the soil should be rich. The whitish flowers appear from April to May. The leaves can be used fresh or picked and spread out in a dark place to dry.
Food and other uses. The flavor of bay is described as bitter and pungent, and ranks at two out of ten on the hotness scale. Bay leaves are aromatic when crushed or burned and are often steeped in liquid and removed before serving.
Bay leaves are a traditional ingredient in the French garnis bouquet. They are used in the preparation of meat, game, stuffing, soup, stew, sauces, marinade and bland vegetables. They are also used in the production of rum bay, which originates from the West Indies; and are one of the signature Cajun spices, along with cayenne pepper, hot sauce, black and white pepper, thyme, and lima powder. They are also characteristic of the cuisines of Brazil, Greece, Germany and Eastern Europe, Jamaica and Scandinavia.
Bay leaves can be used in crafts to make dry topiary and wreaths, and can be used alongside other ingredients, such as apples and rose hips, in inclusion candles. They are also used as fillers in sachets. In a different area, this herb is said to be effective as a cockroach repellent. The powdered berries of the bay tree are used in cosmetics.
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