Berries with Bay leaves

[Gamliel K]

Dear All,

Last night I was doing a bit of pre-Pesach shopping, and amoung other things picked up a small jar of bay leaves which were bottled by the Israeli spice producer Pereg. Anyway, when I got home I noticed that in addition to the leaves, there were also a bunch of what looked like large allspice berries in the jar. Can anyone tell me what these berries are? Do they have any culinary use?

Thanks,
Gamliel

[Daniel Rogov]

Gamliel, Hi…

Those are actually the berries of the bay tree and not to be confused with bayberries which are a different story altogether. The bay leaves (laurel if we prefer) are sometimes packed together with the berries because the berries absorb moisture and keep the leaves fresh. Best uses of the berries are as a addition to usual pickling spices. Best uses for bay leaves are well known but I'll add one to your list…make a laurel crown (much as was once awarded to Olympic champions or worn by the emperors of Rome) and wear it during thunder storms. Most on the Fiji islands do it believing it will protect them from lightning. What the heck…..certainly can do no harm.

Best
Rogov

[Gamliel K]

Thanks . . . though alas I can't say that I can picture myself in laurel millinery . . .