I'm curious if any of you are growing bay trees at home! What are some of your favorite ways to use bay leaves? Do you ever use fresh ones, or do you stick to dried? I find bay leaves fascinating, but unfortunately, I don't have space to grow any trees in my apartment. I was wondering if maybe I could keep a bay tree for a while and then give it away when it gets too big. I know Bay Laurel is the classic one we use, but I've also heard that Bay Rum is really tasty and worth a try. I've mostly used bay leaves in soups, stews, and rice, but I hear they're also good for pickling and even in tea!
2 Answers
I recently found out that bay leaves can break down cholesterol in meats and fats, which is probably why they're so common in soups and stews! Plus, they act as a digestive aid. I’ve even made Bay Rum perfume before, and it smells incredible! Just a heads-up, Bay Rum is meant for scents, not really as a food ingredient.
Absolutely! Bay Rum is one of my favorite essential oils to diffuse—it really liven up the space.
I've been growing my bay leaf tree for about three years now. When I got it, it was only a foot tall, but now it's doubled! It’s a hardy little plant and doesn’t mind if you forget to water it for a while. You can even chop it back if it gets too big, and it’ll be just fine. I heard green bay leaves aren't the best for cooking and that dried ones are preferred, but I’ve used them fresh in pasta sauces and didn't notice a difference. I don’t use them often, but I enjoy having little trees around!
Dried bay leaves definitely pack more flavor, and they last way longer too! It's hilarious that you can just chop it and it still survives. Growing very slowly sounds easier than I expected! Are you into collecting other types of trees as well?
That's super interesting about the cholesterol! Does the plant smell good before you make the perfume? I heard Bay Rum can be used in cooking too, especially in Caribbean dishes.