Bay Leaf (Tez/Tej Patta) from Meghalaya

Aromatic Dried Whole Spice – Bay Leaf from Meghalaya

This product is Vegan, Vegetarian & Gluten-free.
Origin - India

The Bay leaf is recognized as a potent herb by the pharmaceutical industry and packs a mighty punch when it comes to health benefits. Introducing Bay Leaf into your dishes will increase the amount of fibre, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in your diet all while adding minimal calories!

        Some notable health benefits of the Bay Leaf:

 Improves Digestion

Do you often face bloating issues or an upset stomach? A warm cup of Bay leaf Tea is your go-to remedy!

Complex proteins in our modern diet (like in legumes, meats, and dairy) can be difficult to digest, but, unique enzymes in Organic Bay leaves are known to help soothe your digestion and lessens irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and it is Celiac-friendly.

 Keeps your Kidneys & Heart Healthy

As per the 2014 NCBI study (on Traditional Medicinal Plants) Bay leaf is shown to have elements that decrease toxins from the body, stimulate urine flow, improve your body’s insulin production and glucose metabolism - helping fight kidney-related diseases and lowering your blood sugar.

The powerful combination of Potassium, organic compounds like Caffeic Acid & Rutin, antioxidants, and iron all together are vitals known to maintain lower high blood pressure and help maintain good heart health.

 Is Anti-inflammatory

Bay leaf has the ability to reduce inflammation throughout the body. These leaves contain a unique phytonutrient (Parthenolide) which is known to quickly reduce inflammation having a healing effect for arthritis and headaches and other inflammatory issues. This effect can also be achieved through normal consumption of bay leaf spice in dishes.

 Builds your Immune System:

Bay leaf is also known to be a good source of many essential micro-nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, potassium, iron, and calcium which all work to support a healthy immune system.

Plus, the antioxidant vitamin C gives the Bay leaf is recognized for having anti-viral and astringent (inflammation-shrinking) properties. It helps the body heal wounds and also neutralizes and keeps away common sicknesses like cold, cough, excess mucus, and other respiratory issues.

Is a Stress Relieving Remedy:

Want to get rid of increased anxiety and headaches? Use Bay Leaves as your at-home aromatherapy remedy. Infuse the goodness of a few Bay Leaves into a warm tea or a soup base till it lets out its aroma, and have your body feel relaxed and vitalized!

Bay Leaves being folic acid & linalool-rich, notably help in reducing anxiety and stress and lower the overall level of stress hormones in the body. Regular consumption of 4 to 5 bay leaves is shown to help in nervous system function, enzyme synthesis, and regulating body metabolism.

 Improve Menstrual Health:

Bay leaves nutrients are additionally known to protect the uterus from problems like infection and also help regulate periods. It’s also especially beneficial during the periconception period.

Bay leaf can be added to your dishes whole crushed in a muslin pouch to infuse flavour and aroma.

To add a unique deep flavour and aroma to your dishes:

Bay leaf is a versatile herb that is and can be widely used in both gourmet and home cooking. Bay leaves release a rich unique balsamic earthy flavor slowly when heated, so they’re great to add to long-simmering soups, stews, and other slow cooker recipes. Use it for cooking meats, curries, pizza sauces, stuffing, marinades, soups, stews, pickling, flavoured water, as well as in baking and desserts to give an aromatic flavor.

To Make Classic Desi Indian Tadka and Masalas:

Roast the leaves and use them to make spice blends like Garam Masala (a popular Indian spice mix). Throw in a couple of Bay leaves in hot oil and let the aroma simmer and enrich your favorite Indian and Mughlai dishes like Biryani and Korma. Bay leaves can also be used for decorating your food as a garnish.

 For therapeutic results:

Bay leaves are shown to yield many medically cherished essential oils and mainly eugenol. Infuse the goodness of a few Bay Leaves into a warm tea or a soup base till it lets out its aroma, and have your body feel relaxed and vitalized!

Treat yourself to Bay leaf tea - Thanks to the aromatic fragrance that the leaves release this tea will help calm and soothe your senses. 

  As a pest repellent:

Placing Bay leaves can help keep your environment clean and pest-free as they have anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and insect repellent properties keeping roaches, mice, flies, and other insects and microbes away.

 Note: They are removed from the dish before consumption or used as a garnish.

 Bay leaves can be used whole or crushed to impart a more intense flavour. 

We also offer Bay leaf powder >>

To maintain the flavor, freshness, and quality it is recommended to store it well and keep it in a cool & dry place.

BAY LEAF TEA RECIPE:

Ingredients:

• 2 Bay leaves from Pahari Roots
• 2 cups of water
• Cinnamon to taste
• A dollop of honey or 5 drops of liquid stevia

Method:

Boil the water for 3 minutes. Add the bay leaves to the hot water and let it steep for 4 minutes. Add a cinnamon stick and the honey or liquid stevia.

Sip this tea throughout the day to soothe the throat, reduce pain and inflammation, help fight pathogens, and help speed up recovery.

BAY LEAF PULAO RICE/ BRINJI RICE RECIPE:

Ingredients:

Basmati Rice - 2 cups

Ghee or Oil- 2 tbsp.

Thick Coconut Milk- 1 cup

Water - 1 cup

Onion - 1 sliced thinly

Green Chilli - 2 slit

Ginger Garlic Paste - 2 tbsp.

Coriander leaves / Cilantro - for garnishing

Whole Spices:

Pahari Roots Bay Leaf - 2

Pahari Roots Cinnamon - 1 small stick

Cardamom - 4 crushed

Cloves - 4

Cashews - 2 tbsp.

Raisins - 2 tbsp

Method:

Soak basmati rice for 30 mins.

Drain it and fry it with a tsp of ghee for 5 mins. Remove and set aside.

Now heat ghee in a pressure cooker. Add all the whole spices and sauté for a min.

Add in onions and green chilli. Sauté this for 5 mins.

Add in ginger garlic paste and mix well. Season with some salt.

Add in the fried basmati rice and toss well. Pour in some coconut milk and water and bring it to a boil.

Simmer the flame and cover the pressure cooker and cook it for 1 whistle and simmer for 10 mins.

Switch off the flame and let the pressure go all by itself.

Fluff it up with a fork and garnish with coriander leaves.

Can Bay Leaf be eaten?

Bay leaves are an aromatic spice that after cooking often stay stiff and have a bitter taste, so while they are edible and non-toxic, it is usually recommended to remove the leaf before serving to avoid choking or unpleasant taste. The good news is! If you are interested in deriving the nutrients of Bay Leaf without having to eat it whole, Pahari Roots also offers Organic Bay leaf powder >>

 Why is Bay leaf expensive?

During the farming process Fresh Bay leaf plants, being a flavourful herb, will at times allure insects and herbivores, so farmers make sure to go the extra mile to take care of them without having to use pesticides and harmful chemicals. These Bay leaves are then meticulously hand-picked and dried to ensure you get the original best quality Meghalaya Bay leaf at a reasonable, worthwhile price.

How do I identify Real Bay leaf?

Though ‘Cassia leaf’ (or ‘West Bengal Bay leaf’)  might seem better by looks, they lack aroma and flavour when compared to the authentic bay leaf. Good quality Bay leaf is potent with rich aroma and flavour. But don’t fret! At Pahari Roots, we source our leaves right from Meghalaya’s best farms making sure you only get the most authentic experience of Meghalaya Bay leaves.

Can I substitute dried Bay leaves for fresh ones? 

Fresh leaves, if overused, can be overpowering in a dish and might need to be removed early during cooking. Dried bay leaves impart a more subtle flavour and are generally left in a dish as it cooks and then retrieved before serving.