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Herbs

Bay leaves: what they are, how to pick and store them

Dried leaves of the bay laurel tree, simmered in soups, stews, beans and sauces for a quiet herbal note. They stay stiff and sharp, so fish them out before serving.

How to pick them

Dried Turkish bay leaves are the usual kind; California bay leaves are stronger, so use fewer.

How to store them

Keep it in a closed jar away from heat, steam and light (not above the stove). Ground spices fade with time: if it smells faint, it will taste faint, so use a little more or replace it.

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Pick and store tips are in our own words. Storage times and safe temperatures are only shown where a U.S. government source gives them, named on each line; for anything not listed here, see USDA's FoodKeeper app.