Bay leaves

OTHER NAME : Tejpat, Tejapatta,tamalpatra, California laurel, Oregon myrtle, Pepperwood, أوراق الخليج
BOTANICAL NAME : Laurus nobilis
SYNONYMS :
PLANT FAMILY : Lauraceae
PART USED : Leaf

Category

Bay Leaves or Laurel Leaf are dried leaves or an evergreen shrub or more rarely a tree attaining a height of 15 to 20 mtrs. The size of the leaves is ranging from 2.5 to 7.5 cms in length and 1.6 to 2.5 cms in breadth. The shape is elliptical and tapering to a point at the base and tip of the leaves.

The leaves contain about 1.3% essential oils (ol. lauri folii), consisting of 45% eucalyptol, 12% other terpenes, 8-12% terpinyl acetate, 3–4% sesquiterpenes, 3% methyleugenol, and other α- and β-pinenes, phellandrene, linalool, geraniol, terpineol, and contain lauric acid also.

Bay Leaves are sometimes used in dishes like Biryani, meat Dishes and also used in soups, stews, seafood, vegetable dishes, sauce and as ingredient in Garam masala.
Its essential oils used in perfumery.