Bay leaf

Laurier

What it is

Daphne became a laurel tree to escape Apollo, and the god wore its leaves ever after — hence crowned poets “laureates” and every “baccalauréat”. In the pot, it works the same quiet magic: present everywhere, seen nowhere, always fished out at the end.

In the kitchen

One leaf per pot is plenty — two is a statement, three is a mistake. Dried is often better than fresh, and it needs time to speak.

Goes with

Onion Tomato Lentils White beans Beef Potato

Also used with

Albacore Allis shad Annatto Charolais beef Bog myrtle Cane vinegar

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