Do bay leaves even really do anything?

[Anonymous]

Absolutely, but if your bay leaves have been in the spice drawer for years, they are worthless and should be tossed

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah the stem can perforate your intestine if you eat it, Remove bay leaves before serving.
PSA.

Did this happen to you?

No because I read about it when I was a teen. See Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bay_leaf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah the stem can perforate your intestine if you eat it, Remove bay leaves before serving.
PSA.

Did this happen to you?

No because I read about it when I was a teen. See Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bay_leaf

However, they remain unpleasantly stiff even after thorough cooking, and if swallowed whole or in large pieces they may pose a risk of harming the digestive tract or causing choking.

Nothing about the stem itself, just that chewing your food is a general good idea.

[Anonymous]

I can taste the taste and I like it.

I agree new ones are a lot more flavorful than old ones.

[Anonymous]

I stopped adding them when I forgot to remove them before using the immersion blender and had to toss the whole thing.

Yes, they must be removed before eating because of the perforation risk.

I don’t miss them, but do use other spices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can taste the taste and I like it.

I agree new ones are a lot more flavorful than old ones.

I have a friend who provides fresh bay leaves regularly. Extremely better than the dried crap you buy in a jar.

[Anonymous]

https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2025/02/18/can-you-eat-bay-leaves/78390252007/

Sharp stiff stem

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Definitely! Also, quinoa cooked in ckn broth w bay leaf (2) is 100 times more flavorful than water.

This is brilliant. I already cook in chicken broth but love bay in my stews and this helps use up the leaves (see everyone's consensus on freshness). Will add to my lentils too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2025/02/18/can-you-eat-bay-leaves/78390252007/

Sharp stiff stem

More danger of being hit by lightning.

[Anonymous]

I make a few Indian recipes that call for bay leaf, cardamom pods, and a cinnamon stick to be added to hot oil as the first step. You will absolutely smell and taste the flavor of the bay leaf when bloomed in oil.

[Anonymous]

I am surprised so many are defensive about chowing down on stems.

[Anonymous]

Take them out after cooking is done. Duh. They should be aromatic, if they aren't, they are too old and useless. In fact, get them from specialty spice or ethnic stores, regular grocery store bought ones are usually too old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am surprised so many are defensive about chowing down on stems.

I am surprised so many won't use bay leaves at all due to the "inherent danger" they represent.

[Anonymous]

Yes. I use them in chowders and sometimes in tomato based dishes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I stopped adding them when I forgot to remove them before using the immersion blender and had to toss the whole thing.

Yes, they must be removed before eating because of the perforation risk.

I don’t miss them, but do use other spices.

Wait, so the stem is strong enough to survive the immersion blender?