Bay leaves - more than all cure spice
Spicy food admirers and enthusiasts around the world pledge by bay leaves as a versatile spice and a cardinal ingredient that adds & intensifies a striking flavor and scent to any dish, which can never go unappreciated and unnoticed. Bay leaves are picked from the evergreen tree, Lauris nobilis, also entitled the bay laurel tree. Grown sensationally in Mediterranean-kind climates, pointed, smooth, & oval-shaped bay leaves have become in-fashion seasoning spice to create marvelous meals.
Scientific name: Laura nobilis
Family: Lauraceae
Flavor profile
When added to a recipe as a whole, bay leaves give a pungent, snappy, and intense fragrance. The aroma of this spice is more edgy & obvious as compared to its taste. Dehydrated bay leaves have a tender and warm scent. And also less bitter than their fresh escort. Aroma of dried bay leaves gives the florescent impression, somewhat similar to oregano & thyme. Bay leaves function the same way as cinnamon sticks, such as they add the depth of flavor but are not meant to be eaten directly. Marginally sweet and chilling flavors lie in the essential oils embedded within dry bay leaves, and when leaves are crushed, they allow the release of a flavorsome blow.
Colour of bay leaves
Bay leaf, when fresh, is shiny, smooth & dark green on topmost while lighter in tone undersurface. When exposed to sunlight to make it dry, its color turns to matte olive green.
History
The bay laurel tree has been considered as the symbol of triumph, honor, achievement, & glory in ancient Greece & Rome. The laurel tree was so famous that its branches and leaves were used to make wreaths and crown the royal emperors, heroes of battles, poets, and athletes.
Origin
The bay tree is native to Asia Minor, from where it propagated to the Mediterranean region. Currently, it is cultivated in North America on a massive scale.
Weather conditions for bay tree cultivation
Extolling from the Mediterranean, the bay tree flourishes pretty well in hot weather conditions. Bay leaves are grown on the branches of the bay laurel plant_ the all-time-green shrub is grown best in warm temperature climates.
Organic bay leaves contain
Mineral & vitamin
Organic bay leaves are a dense source of vitamins (A, B, & C) and minerals such as calcium, folic acid, manganese, iron, sodium, zinc, copper, selenium, and many more. Whole bay leaves also encapsulate a variety of micronutrients & other compounds that have medical, herbal, & therapeutical properties.
Aromatic & flavoring pack
Certain substances embedded within bay leaves play their role to bring distinctive, amplified & overpowering aromatic & flavoring features. Some of these substances are;
- Eucalyptol
- Terpinyl acetate
- Methyleugenol
- Pinenes
- Linalool
- Lauric acid
- Terpineol
- Eugenol
- Geraniol
Culinary Uses
Indian Biryani
Indian bay leaf is a well-known kitchen must-have spice to cook finger-licking & mouth-watering Biryani and Mughali vegan & non-vegan dishes.
Aromatic and Spicing Agent
Bay leaves are one of the best aromatic and spicing agents used in the Mediterranean, Indian, Mexican, American, & French exotic cuisine.
Flavor Mediator
It's rustic & woodsy flavor when combines with bitter overtone, then it helps to meditate and balance out multiple flavors in a dish.
Slow Cooked Recipes
They are added to slow-cooked recipes such as soups, stews, and sauces during the simmering phase for infusion of mild flavor & are removed before serving the dishes
Seasoning & Marinating Spice
Bay leaves are globally used in seasoning & marination of chicken, beef, fish, crab, shrimp, etc., to tenderize meat.
Picking Spice
Bay leaves are most often hold a prominent place in picking spice. It's a British spice mixture that allows to experience different and innovative flavor.
French Bouquet Garni
They are the must-added spice in the French "bouquet garni," a set of a traditional collection of herbs that are clenched together and added in the soups & broths during the steaming & casseroling process to augment the fragrance & flavor.
Health Benefits
A Chemical combination of compounds loaded within organic bay leaves makes them yield lots of meticulously potential health benefits
Anti-inflammatory
Phytonutrient, a.k.a parthenolide, one of the compounds of bay leaves, has Anti-inflammatory properties. It reduces inflammation caused by sore joints when applied topically.
Enhance Heart Health
Caffeic acid & rutin, organic compounds of bay leaves, protect and enhance heart health. Rutin strengthens the heart's capillary walls. Caffeic acid eliminates bad cholesterol from the heart.
Manage Diabetes
Researches have shown that taking ground/powdered bay leaf twice a day along with a combination of diabetic control medicines aids in managing & control pre-meal blood sugar levels, which eventually contain diabetes..
Manage Cholesterol Levels
Drinking bay leaf tea for ten days slowly starts to increase HDL(high-density lipoprotein or good cholesterol) levels. Caffeic acid decreases LDL the bad cholesterol levels.
Menstrual Cramps
The warmth of the herb alleviates the pain associated with menstrual cramps.
Insomnia
Consuming bay leaf extract & essential oils mixed with water induces sleep.
Manage BMI (Body Mass Index)
The addition of bay leaves in the meals adds aroma & flavor to the dishes without adding extra salt, fats & calories, which aids in managing body weight.
Gratify Digestion
Bay leaf aids to improve the gastrointestinal system such as organic compounds and enzymes in bay leaves effectively improve upset stomach, bowel syndrome, & celiac disease
Cast Down Anxiety & Stress
Burning bay leaves lowers the level of stress hormones in the body. Linalool, a compound found in bay leaf, relieves anxiety and stress when used in aromatherapy
Prevent Cancer
Free radicals cause mutations in healthy cells & convert them to cancerous cells. The antioxidant property of bay leaves protects the body from the production of free radicals.
Before Pregnancy Benefits
Bay leaves are a dense source of folic acid. Folic acid is essential for making a woman get ready for conception and to prevent complications.
Consuming bay leaves-the all-cured spice whether fresh or dried, whole or ground should be part of day-to-day cooking not solely for its exotic aroma and flavor but also for its countless health benefits.