Stews, soups, braises and other
delicious cold weather treats always seem to include the same ingredient: the
bay leaf – leaving Tightwad wondering just why that is? Some quick research has
yielded the following information.
According to legend the Delphi oracle chewed bay leaves, or sniffed the
smoke of burning leaves to promote her visionary trances. Bay, or laurel, was
famed in ancient Greece and Rome. Emperors, heroes and poets wore wreaths of
laurel leaves. The Greek word for laurel is dhafni, named for the myth of the nymph
Daphne, who was changed into a laurel tree by Gaea, who transformed her to help
her escape Apollo’s attempted rape. Apollo made the tree sacred and thus it
became a symbol of honour. The association with honour and glory continue
today; we have poet laureates (Apollo was the God of poets), and bacca-laureate
means “laurel berries” which signifies the completion of a bachelor degree.
Doctors were also crowned with laurel, which was considered a cure-all. Triumphant
athletes of ancient Greece were awarded laurel garlands and were given to
winners at Olympic games since 776 BC Today, grand prix winners are bedecked
with laurel wreaths. It was also believed that the laurel provided safety from
the deities responsible for thunder and lightning. The Emperor Tiberius always
wore a laurel wreath during thunderstorms. – theepicentre.com
Picked fresh bay leaves have little
flavour. It’s the drying of the leaves over several weeks that develops the
taste. When dried the fragrance is herbal,
slightly floral and somewhat similar to thyme and oregano. Bay leaves have anti fungal and antibacterial properties. Scattered leaves can be
used as an insect repellent and discourage the growth of mold.
There are several varieties of bay,
all with different subtleties, including the Californian, the Mediterranean,
the Indian, the West Indian, the Mexican and the Indonesian. A fixture in many cuisines, it’s no wonder it
can be found throughout the world.
The leaves are mostly used whole and
removed before serving, or are crushed or ground before cooking, imparting a
stronger flavour. If put in muslin cloth during cooking ground bay can be
removed before serving. Dried leaves should be an olive green colour and can be
stored in a dark place for up to two years. Brown leaves have lost their
flavour.
That said, Tightwad will now rest on
her laurels. Pun intended!
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