Elegant Bay
The bay tree or Laurus nobilis has been around since biblical times and symbolized wealth and success. King David was so enamoured of the bay tree and its beauty that he used the wood for paneling the rooms of his home. Bay leaves are often depicted in the emblems and motifs which decorated the Temple in Jerusalem.
The Greeks and Roman made wreaths from bay leaves which they used to crown the winners of tournaments and victorious athletes in the Olympic Games. The words ‘baccalaureate’ and Poet laureate are derived from the bay laurel. It is reported that the Emperor Nero had his apartments perfumed with oil of bay during epidemics as it was thought to guard against infection. Indeed, the essential oil pressed form the berries does have fungicidal and bacteriological properties.
So next time you see a recipe calling for a bay leaf remember its illustrious history. The leaves are still woven into wreaths but are more likely to be found on the wall of a French kitchen than the cook’s head!
Dried bay leaves can be used to flavor soups and stews, vegetables, spaghetti sauce and poultry dishes and a bay leaf is, of course, a prime component of the bouquet garni. A fresh leaf is best for this purpose but slightly more bitter than the dried variety. If you can’t smell it it’s no use! For those who are avoiding salt, a bay leaf or two added to a dish makes a fine substitute.
The best bay leaves come from Turkey where they grow in abundance around Izmir and these are mostly what you will find in the supermarket. However, the best way to get bay leaves is to grow your own plant. If you do decide to buy a plant make sure you get Laurel nobilis. Sometimes this plant is confused with the Mountain Laurel, the California Bay Laurel or Daphne.
Bays are best grown in a pot in our climate as they are not winter hardy in PA. Try and buy a plant about 6 inches high and put it in a pot about 8 inches in diameter with a good quality potting soil to allow it to develop strong root stock. It can be kept outside from May to the beginning of October after which it can be treated as a house plant. Do not overwater.
