Bay Leaf?
Dec 1, 2012 | 7:01 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: MSP
Posts: 910
Bay Leaf?
Would some one explain to me the appeal/flavor/value of the bay leaf? I make many of the standard dishes (sauces, stews, etc.) both with and without the leaf and can't taste the difference. Maybe the subtlety of the flavor is lost on me. Maybe I should dump in the whole jar? Or should I try and find fresh, what difference would that make?
Also, I am ALWAYS the person to get the leaf in his serving.
(I remove them before serving when I cook).
Cheers,
Pogopossum
Also, I am ALWAYS the person to get the leaf in his serving.
(I remove them before serving when I cook).Cheers,
Pogopossum
Dec 1, 2012 | 7:14 pm
#2
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
There's a funny thread on chowhound about it, the great bay leaf hoax
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/350336
If you are using dried ones, they may be too old to do anything but take up space. They lose their flavor very fast.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/350336
If you are using dried ones, they may be too old to do anything but take up space. They lose their flavor very fast.
Dec 2, 2012 | 1:06 am
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 11,968
Some herbs and spices are primarily for fragrance rather than taste and I've always thought that bay helps a dish more for that.
In curry making for example the final addition of garam masala seems to be more for fragrance than additional taste.
In curry making for example the final addition of garam masala seems to be more for fragrance than additional taste.
Dec 2, 2012 | 1:08 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: MSP
Posts: 910
There's a funny thread on chowhound about it, the great bay leaf hoax
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/350336
If you are using dried ones, they may be too old to do anything but take up space. They lose their flavor very fast.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/350336
If you are using dried ones, they may be too old to do anything but take up space. They lose their flavor very fast.
The hoax reminded me of "The Great Kohlrabi Hoax" that Jean Shepherd used to talk about on his evening radio show in NY back in the sixties. He was "convinced" there was no such thing as kohlrabi. Luckily, he was wrong.
Cheers,
Pogopossum