Bay Leaves

Bay Leaves: Main Image

Buying Tips

High-quality bay leaves are aromatic and have a bright green color. The more faded the green color, the more bitter the leaves will taste.

Varieties

There are two main varieties of bay leaves—Turkish and Californian. Turkish bay leaves, which have 1- to 2-inch-long (2.5–5cm) oval leaves, have a subtler flavor than the Californian variety, which feature narrow, 2- to 3-inch-long (5–7.6cm) leaves.

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The information presented in the Food Guide is for informational purposes only and was created by a team of US–registered dietitians and food experts. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements, making dietary changes, or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2025.

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