Where are bay leaves originally from?

Where are bay leaves originally from?

Asia Minor

Why is it called a bay leaf?

Cooking with Bay Leaves The English term “bay leaf” derives from the Latin word bacca, which means “berry”—an ancient reference to this tree's inedible black berries. But, it is the leaves from this tree that add taste and glory to some of our favorite Italian dishes.

Where do the best bay leaves come from?

The sweet bay plant, or bay laurel, that produces the aromatic bay leaves used in cooking is Laurus nobilis, a member of the laurel family. It is grown commercially for its leaves in Algeria, France, Italy, Mexico, Morocco, Portugal, Spain and Turkey.

Why do people not eat bay leaves?

Technically, they can be eaten. However, their very rigid and leathery leaves don't soften with cooking, and their edges can even be sharp. Thus, they can present a choking hazard if you swallow them. ... If you forget and accidentally try to eat a whole or large piece of bay leaf, it might be best to spit it out.

What's the benefits of bay leaf?

Bay leaves are a rich source of vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Also regular inclusion of bay leaves in meals promotes general health. 2. They have been proven to be useful in the treatment of migraines.

Do bay leaves kill mosquitoes?

Bay leaves. Bay leaves have a gentle, pleasant aroma, but mosquitoes and other insects hate it. To take advantage of its insect repellent properties, try this trick.

Is eating a bay leaf harmful?

Bay leaves are NOT dangerous to eat. This is an extremely common myth but holds no merit. ... However, even after hours of cooking, the bay leaf remains very rigid and stiff. Swallowing a large piece could cause you to scratch your digestive tract or potentially (although rare) pose a choking hazard.