The important difference between spice laurel and other species used for the laurel hedge
A laurel hedge made from real laurel (Laurus nobilis) is in the garden or on balcony does not pose a security risk. The fruits of the bay laurel are not necessarily suitable for consumption, but they are also not highly poisonous. The leaves of the real bay laurel are, contrary to claims that are often made to the contrary, equally edible in the fresh and in the dried state. There is a danger in connection with laurel when other plant species are mistaken for real laurel. For example, the leaves of the are often used for Hedges The cherry laurel used is quite poisonous, so that it is said that there have been deaths from cherry laurel in horses and grazing cattle. If you come across laurel-like shrubs in southern countries, you should not use their leaves for cooking without the advice of botanical experts on site.
also read
- Yellow leaves on the laurel - causes and control
- The right way to harvest laurel from your own cultivation
- The laurel leaves brown - what to do?
The dose of fresh and dried bay leaves
The rumor about the toxicity fresh harvested Bay leaves probably resulted from the fact that they contain more bitter substances than already dried bay leaves. This means that dishes seasoned with it taste a bit more distinctive of laurel and quite bitter:
- Game dishes
- Beef steaks
- Stews
- Tomato sauce
Fresh bay leaves are therefore not poisonous, they just have to be dosed much more sparingly than dried leaves due to their higher flavor intensity. In addition, bay leaves are usually removed from dishes before serving as they are not really edible due to their intense taste and chewy consistency.
Tips & Tricks
Antiparasitic and insect repellants can also be made from the leaves of the real bay leaf in the form of an ointment. However, caution is advised here, as allergic contact dermatitis often occurs when used in humans.
