Bay

Ovid relates the story of Daphne, metamorphosed into a Bay tree by her father, the river god Peneus, to avoid the amorous advances of Apollo on his triumphant return from killing the ancient serpent, Python. ~0~ Identification ~0~ Bay is native to the Mediterranean region and has the latin name "Laurus nobilis" according to Linnaean classification: Laurus = "praise", nobilis = 'famous', excellent or 'notable'. The plant is also known as Sweet Bay, Bay Laurel, Roman Bay, Roman Laurel or Daphne. Bay is a vigorous, densely branched evergreen with dark grey or black trunk. It has aromatic elongated, shiny, hairless, ...  Read the complete review

The Bay is what was used to make the laurels in the Roman days and has therefore been used to reward heroes, poets and emperors. Nowadays it’s mostly used in French Mediterranean cooking. It is an essential ingredient in a bouquet garni and very good in marinades, stocks, soups and sauces. A bay leaf simmered with milk to make béchamel sauce gives a fantastic difference to its flavour. I use mine in Bolognaise sauce and it makes a big difference it gives it an edge. The trees grow wild in the Mediterranean and can grow up to 7.5metres high. The leaves are shiny and leathery and gives tiny yellow flowers in the spring I let my leaves dry for a few ...  Read the complete review

Bay is an everygreen herb which grows like a shrub, it can be grown in open spaces or in tubs. The flowers of the bay are yellow and it will flower in may. The best way to get a bay plant is to buy one from a garden centre for around 99p depending on the size. Then when it's well established re-plant outside. It likes to be in a sunny but shaded place in the garden. They may die off in the winter but should throw new shoots during the following spring. Bay is a native to the east mediterranean but have been grown in europe for years. They are a very popular herb to grow in your herb garden as they have a good use in cookery. You can use the ...  Read the complete review

Laurel Did you know the bay tree is a laurel ? I did not till today. There are several species of the bay/laurel tree Sweet Laurel (Laurus nobilis) The sweet laurel bay laurus noblius although first found in Asia Minor and the Mediterranean has grown in Britain since thec16c. This laurus nobilius grows as a small tree about to about 25 foot, in warm countries it will grow taller. This tree has a smooth bark. It is an evergreen, the leaves a narrow oval pointed shape (lanceolate) _they are thick and smooth a shiny green. The flowers are small and yellow the fruit black with a single seed. The leaves are dried ...  Read the complete review

Bay plants can be grown as standard trees. These standards are those popularly seen on either side of smart doorways. The problem is that they are not particularly well adapted to his climate, and so sometimes don't fare so well in the winter. If you fancy a pair of standards, an alternative you could consider is a box bush trained into a standard. They look pretty much the same, except for having smaller leaves. But they will be hardier, and withstand winter better. Its most common culinary uses are with fish, custards and stews. Cook these items with bay, but remove the leaves before the dish is served. WARNING: ...  Read the complete review