Background: Native to Asia Minor, it spread to the Mediterranean and to other countries with Mediterranean climate. In legend the Oracle at Delphi chewed the leaves, and inhaled the smoke of burning leaves to promote visionary trances. Famed in ancient Rome and Greece a wreath of laurel was an honor to wear. Named for the mythological Daphne who was turned into a laurel tree by Gaea. The plant's connection with honor is seen in the terms laureate and bacca-laureate ( laurel berries ). It was considered a 'cure-all'. It was also believed that laurel provided safety from thunder and lightning.
Applications: Bay leaf has is high in lauric acid and is used to keep moths away. This also provides insecticidal properties.
Bay leaves used worldwide. Used much in bouquet garnis and in soups, sauces, stews and is great for poultry, fish, and meat. Often in pickling spice.
Description: The bay leaf is oval, pointed and smooth, 2.5 - 8 cm (1 to 3 in) long. Fresh leaves are shiny and dark green on top with lighter undersides. Dried bay leaf is a matte olive green.
Grown successfully in Mediterranean-like climates, the Bay is a hardy evergreen shrub that grows wild or cultivated. In warm areas it can grow as high as 18 m (60 ft). Inconspicuous white flowers arrive in clusters, in May. Best grown from cuttings from shoots. Harvest leaves any time.
Other varieties:There are two main varieties: Turkish and Californian. Turkish have a more subtle flavor and shorter, more oval leaves than Californian
Found wild in the many regions of the world Collected widely for culinary.
Safety: Do not use the essential oil externally or internally in pregnancy.
