Tag: Cooking with bay leaves

The bay laurel tree, whose leaves have crowned champions since ancient times, offers a subtle yet essential depth of flavor to countless dishes and surprising utility throughout the home.

Historically, bay leaves were a symbol of victory and honor, and today, they are a common kitchen staple, but many wonder: are boiling bay leaves good for you?

Surprisingly, the answer isn't a simple 'yes' or 'no' due to a mix-up with highly toxic plants. Is the bay laurel plant poisonous? For humans, when cooked and used correctly, it's safe; however, for pets and when raw, it poses risks.

While commonly used in cooking, not all 'laurel' leaves are safe for consumption, and some are highly toxic. Knowing the difference is critical, so can I eat bay laurel safely? The key lies in correctly identifying the true culinary bay leaf, *Laurus nobilis*.