Dried Bay Leaves And Its Uses

By Marla Mills


Dried bay leaves contain a very aromatic flavor are used in a lot of different worldwide dishes, these are a product of Laurel Bay tree. Their flavor and aroma is very different from ordinary plant leaves. Mediterranean and Asian dishes mostly contain this ingredient. The size and flavor of the leaf may vary depending on the fact that where it is grown.

Apart from whole leaf, crushed and ground bay leaves are also quite frequently used in many dishes. It is said that the crushed ones are more strong in flavor as compared to whole leaf but it is a difficult task to separate crushed leaves especially if they are used in curries or soups. You can make the use of muslin cloth if you're using the crushed ones because when you tie them up in the cloth it becomes easy to get rid of them once the flavor gets infused.

Bay leaf is viewed as an adequate solution for keeping away creepy crawlies like cockroaches, flies, mosquitoes and moths. The solid vapors discharged from the leaves are capable enough to keep these creepy crawlies away. Put them in an open compartment or tie them up in fabric and place it where bugs could be seen.

As compared to fresh bay leaf, dried ones have more shelf life and they could be stored in your cupboard for more than a year or so. The best way to store them is to put them in an airtight container and place that container in your cupboard. Alternatively, you can put these in a sealed bag and put them in your freezer and once defrosted they smell the same as the cupboard ones.

Never store them for a long time because once they loose their life they become flavorless to an extent. Also, as they are easily available in the market and do not cost a fortune to buy them therefore you don't require to stock them in large quantities. ```

This special ingredient might be utilized on its own or it can be mixed with other fragrant flavors to make an exceptional blend of spices, for example garam masala. Its a standout among the most prevalent South Asian spice blends and contains powder of cloves, black peppers, cardamoms and dried bay leaves. This extraordinary leaf clearly gives that unique smell to the garam masala.

You could easily dry the fresh ones right at your home. Its an easy and hassle free process just make sure you pick them during the right weather without causing any harm to the plant. They are usually picked from plants that are 2 years or older in age.

Overall, dried bay leaves are one of the most commonly used ingredient in different cuisines all over the world. The health benefits associated with its use are just endless making its use quite favorable. It works well in dishes like curries, soups, rice and many other dishes the flavor and aroma produced cannot be substituted by using any other dry or fresh ingredient.




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