2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
The bay leaf has been recognized as a sacred plant for thousands of years - it is an ideal spice for many dishes and exquisite dishes, but it is also famous for its healing properties. In cooking, bay leaf gives food a specific flavor and makes it tastier, and as an added bonus bay leaf gives a very beneficial effect on human health.
As early as ancient Greece and the Roman Empire, the bay leaf was considered a sacred plant. He symbolized glory and greatness, and was a halo of victory. The bay leaf was planted near the temples dedicated to the god Apollo - the god of the sun. As is well known, he was always depicted with a laurel wreath on his head. The ancient Romans wove laurel wreaths for the victors in various battles and competitions.
In cooking the proper use of spice bay leaf requires that before you put the bay leaves in a soup or dish, be sure to rub them into each other. In this way the healing properties and their aroma will be enhanced.
Growing bay leaves
The homeland of the laurel so-called. laurel tree are the countries of the Mediterranean. The fragrant bay leaves are actually the leaves of several species of trees from the Lauraceae family. These plants reach a height of 12 meters and a crown diameter of about 9 meters. Cultivated species are significantly smaller. Bay leaves are mostly pointed, thick and fleshy, dark green in color. The trees from which the bay leaf is extracted bloom in late spring and early summer with pale yellow flowers that are delicate and have the shape of a star. The fruits of the bay tree are small, round, have a red color, and turn black in late autumn.
Types of bay leaf
Today, there are four main types of trees from which bay leaves are extracted. The Mediterranean bay leaf or laurel (Laurus nobilis) after drying is used as a wonderful spice for soups, stews, stews, pâtés and pickles in various Mediterranean dishes. California bay leaf (Umbellularia californica) is also known as Oregon myrtle. It resembles the Mediterranean bay leaf, but has a richer taste.
Indian bay leaf (Cinnamomum tejpata) is also called tejpat (a). It has a cinnamon-like smell and taste, but is a significantly weaker spice. In fact, Indian bay leaf resembles the smell and taste of Chinese cinnamon (cassia), which predetermines its specific culinary use. This division only bears the name bay leaf, and although it belongs to the same laurel family, it actually belongs to another genus.
Indonesian bay leaf (Syzygium polyanthum) is also known as down salami, manting. It belongs to the Myrtaceae family. In Europe and in the west, this division of bay trees is not widely used, being used mainly in Indonesia and Malaysia. These bay leaves can be used dried or fresh, and are an excellent spice in cooking meat and sometimes vegetables. This type of bay leaf has a weaker aroma and a very different smell than the others. Heat treatment of dishes seasoned with Indonesian bay leaf is mandatory, because only then it releases its aroma.
The bay trees grow best in temperate latitudes. It is important that the place where the trees grow is protected and the soil is well drained. Bay plants are propagated by cuttings in summer or by seeds in autumn.
Composition of bay leaf
Since ancient times, the leaves of the fruits of bay trees have been used to combat various diseases. Today, bay leaf is one of the most affordable medicines. Bay leaves contain aromatic essential oil. It includes almost 50% cineole and about 65 different useful components, including rutin.
Thanks to the aromatic volatile compounds, bay leaf has phytoncide properties and helps purify the air. It is rich in phytonicides, contains many trace elements, tannins, removes toxins from the body, increases immunity. Among the minerals contained in bay leaf are manganese, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, sodium and zinc.
Bay leaf in cooking
Dried bay leaf is one of the most used spices in cooking. Proper use of bay leaves requires rubbing into each other before putting them in the dishes. In this way, in addition to the aroma, the healing properties are also enhanced. When preparing the dishes, the bay leaf is placed about 5-10 minutes before the end of the heat treatment. Keep in mind that prolonged stay in the food gives it a slightly unpleasant and bitter taste.
Use bay leaf in dishes with a more spicy taste - beef, fish, game. It is also put in many pickles, it is used to fix stews with soups. Combines best with garlic, onion, vinegar, juniper, allspice, wine, soup roots.
Benefits of bay leaf
Bay leaf has the ability to stimulate the digestive system, protecting the liver and protecting it from gas. The decoction prepared from bay leaf helps to remove kidney stones, helps with intestinal cramps, awakens the appetite and normalizes the stomach. If you mix bay leaf with corn oil, this consistency can be used for an ointment that is rubbed into the skin for arthritis, myocyte and neuralgia, and with vinegar and honey bay leaf helps with rheumatism and joint pain.
Bay leaf helps in sinusitis, relieving breathing. It is recommended to drip a drop of bay leaf oil into the nose. You can prepare this oil yourself by finely chopping 30 g of leaves, which you pour with a glass of vegetable oil. This mixture should stand for 5 days, after which it is filtered and used. If you suffer from a disorder, you can apply the following recipe, which has a tightening effect and provokes constipation. Take about 15 bay leaves, pour them with 2, 5 cups of water, let them boil and keep them for 5 minutes. Then pour the liquid into a thermos and leave for 4-5 hours. Strain and drink 1 tablespoon during the day.
Bay leaf tea also helps against dry cough by drinking at night before bed. Bay leaf is a known means of boosting immunity. Its volatile oils have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. An additional quality of bay leaf is that it relaxes the spasms of the colon. It has recently been discovered that its tannins lower blood sugar and act against diabetes.
In osteoarthritis - coxarthrosis, gonarthrosis is good to apply oil extract of bay leaf. It is prepared by chopping 10 -15 grams of bay leaves, to which you add 50 milliliters of oil. The bay mixture is left to stand for 1 week in the dark and cool. This extract is applied to the diseased joint in the evening, wrapped in a piece of wool and left overnight.
Bay leaf helps and in preparing the body for pregnancy. This is due to the high levels of folic acid, which protects the fetus from defects. Folic acid and its supplements are extremely useful in the period of 3 months before pregnancy and 3 months after.
Bay leaf has healing properties for colds and flu. The decoction of the spice helps with respiratory disorders and infections. Relieves cough and reduces fever.
Bay leaf is believed to contain a combination of unique compounds that protect the body from the harmful effects of free radicals, which are responsible for the development of a number of serious diseases, including cancer. Parthenolide in bay leaf has been shown to reduce the risk of cervical cancer.
One of the most famous benefits of bay leaf is its natural calming effect. Reduces the level of stress hormones in the blood, relieves anxiety, worry and helps relieve stress even on busy days. Taken at bedtime helps you fall asleep faster and improves sleep quality.
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Let's Cleanse Our Body With Bay Leaf
The popular spice bay leaf can be used not only to flavor dishes - with it you can make a healing decoction that cleanses the body of accumulated toxins and salt. Why is it necessary to cleanse the body periodically? Toxins that accumulate in a person's body interfere with the proper functioning of the organs, which means that the body is weak and it is easier to get sick.
Culinary Subtleties In Cooking With Bay Leaf
Bay trees have been valued since ancient times. Their leaves have been used to treat a number of diseases for thousands of years. And investing in cooking is the easiest way to reap the benefits. By adding bay leaf to our dish we get a unique taste and a bouquet of health benefits.
Bay Leaf For A Healthy Stomach
Bay leaf can be used in various dishes - the taste of the spice goes to soups and sauces, dishes, marinades, and is added to canning. The aromatic spice, which has a bitter note, combines well with onions and garlic, black pepper, allspice and more.
Types Of Bay Leaf
The laurel tree, also called laurel, has been known since ancient times for its incredible health and culinary benefits. His homeland is considered to be Asia Minor and the Mediterranean. The practice of adorning the victors with laurel wreaths came from the ancient Greeks, who introduced this custom.
Benefits Of Bay Leaf Decoction
Bay leaf is a well-known spice, but it also has healing properties if taken in the form of a decoction. In the culinary world it is widely used for pork and beef, it is also suitable for lean dishes such as lentils. It has a very specific and strong smell, so when you put it in a pot, it is enough to add just one leaf to add flavor.
