The Science of Spice

136 Spice Profiles

Region of cultivation

Bay is native to the eastern Mediterranean

region (Asia Minor). It is cultivated mainly

in Turkey, which supplies more than 90 per

cent of the world market, but also across

Europe, North Africa, Mexico, Central

America, and southern USA.

The plant

Bay is a fairly

hardy evergreen

shrub in the laurel

family. It grows up

to 7.5m (23ft) tall.

Fresh

Fresh leaves are quite

edible, but can be leathery,

and have a slight bitterness

that gradually dissipates.

Clusters of

yellow-white

flowers develop

in warm regions

Shiny, deep green

leaves are aromatic,

particularly when

crushed or bruised

Dried

Good-quality leaves

remain pale green

in colour. They have

less bitterness and

little aroma, but the

fragrance is released

upon cooking.

BOTANICAL NAME

Laurus nobilis

ALSO KNOWN AS

Sweet bay, bay laurel.

MAJOR FLAVOUR COMPOUND

Cineole.

PARTS USED

Leaves, and less commonly the berries.

METHOD OF CULTIVATION

Leaves can be harvested at any time of

year. Two- to three-year-old leafy shoots

are cut off the main plant by hand.

COMMERCIAL PREPARATION

Shoots are dried in the shade. Leaves are

then collected, graded, and packaged.

NON-CULINARY USES

Perfumery and cosmetics; in traditional

medicine as a cough medicine and antiseptic,

and to treat skin and joint problems.

FRANCE

SPAIN

ALGERIA

MOROCCO

PORTUGAL

BELGIUM

GREECE

TURKEY

BAY

Resinous | Herbal | Floral

The ancient Greeks and Romans

both regarded bay as symbolic of

victory and high status. The Romans

used bay leaves to flavour roast

meats, and added ground bay berries

to stews and sauces. They also used

bay leaves medicinally, and believed

that garlands of the leaves would

dispel evil spirits. The bay laurel

was introduced from Asia Minor to

all parts of the Mediterranean region

in ancient times. By the Middle Ages

it had reached right across Europe

and continued to be ascribed spiritual

significance. In the 17th century, the

English herbalist Nicholas Culpeper

wrote that a bay tree would provide

protection from harm, and branches

of the plant were burned in public

spaces in times of plague.

Spice story

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