The important difference between spice laurel and other species used for the bay hedge
A laurel hedge made from real laurel (Laurus nobilis) does not pose a safety risk in the garden or on the balcony. The fruits of the laurel are not necessarily suitable for consumption, but they are also not highly poisonous. The leaves of the real bay laurel are, contrary to what is often said to the contrary, equally edible when fresh and when dried. There is a danger in connection with laurel if other plant species are mistaken for real laurel. For example, the leaves of cherry laurel, which is often used for hedges, are quite poisonous, so that it is said that there have been deaths from cherry laurel in horses and grazing cattle. Should you come across laurel-like shrubs in southern countries,so 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
- Harvest laurel from your own cultivation correctly
- The bay leaves brown - what to do?
The dose of fresh and dried bay leaves
The rumor about the toxicity of freshly harvested bay leaves probably arose 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 ointments. However, caution is advised here, as allergic contact dermatitis often occurs when used in humans.
