Laurel de cocina
Category: Tree
A tree or aromatic shrub widely used in cooking for its intensely fragrant leaves. Beyond its culinary value, it's an elegant, hardy ornamental plant, ideal for vegetable gardens, large pots, and Mediterranean-style gardens.
Characteristics
- Watering
- • Low to moderate • Resistant to moderate drought • Avoid overwatering
- Soil
- • Well drained • Tolerates poor soils • Prefers a fertile substrate but is adaptable
- Blooms
- September – November Small, inconspicuous flowers
- Exposure
- • Full sun to partial shade • Very adaptable
- Fruit
- Yes (dark, decorative berries) • Not commonly eaten
- Size
- • Height: 3–8 m • Dense, fragrant canopy • Slow to moderate growth
- Use
- • Cooking and seasoning • Fragrant gardens • Hedges and ornamental pots
- Propagation
- • Cuttings • Seeds
- Medicinal
- Bay laurel is known for its fragrant leaves, used to aid digestion and season food. As a mild tea it has traditionally been used for stomach heaviness and gas. It should be used in moderate amounts, and whole leaves should not be eaten, as they are tough and hard to digest.