FOOD NEWS
What Role Exactly Do Bay Leaves Play In Soup?
BY Zoë Lourey-Christianson
Fresh, dried bay leaves can provide a mild, herbal, savory base flavor to any soups, stews, and other slow-cooked recipes. They are used to build deeper, more complex layers.
Although a lot of bay leaf backchat points to their seeming lack of flavor, freshness is the key. While dried herbs likely won't spoil, they lose potency and flavor over time.
To check if your bay leaves are fresh, just break one in half. If you notice a bright herby aroma, your leaves are good to use, but if you don't, replace the jar with a fresh one.
Note that you should discard bay leaves before serving because they're tricky to chew, don't taste great on their own, and can be a choking hazard if shards break off.
