Bay Berries

These are small round kernels about the size of a pea (often also split) which have a similar flavour to bay leaf, but can be eaten – while bay leaf itself is generally not consumed. Note well that this is the berry of the bay tree and should not be confused with the flowering laurel (Laurocerasus officinalis) which is very poisonous and produces berries similar in appearance. Until recently bay trees in the UK could not set berries in the autumn for lack of the correct temperature. Instead, they would attempt to flower again, producing small, pale green buds. Recent global warming has resulted in berries forming on many large bay trees, particularly in the south of England, and it is now possible to obtain them through careful harvesting. The berry will be a dark red to black in colour and should be left for as long as possible on the tree to ripen. Harvest just before the frosts and dry carefully. The skin will peel off to reveal the kernel which needs to be fully dried before storing in an air-tight container. The flavour is very interesting and I use them in a number of successful recipes in this book.