That jar of bay leaves in your spice rack may have a second life, just not necessarily the one you’ve seen all over the internet. Some of the simplest bay leaf uses beyond cooking involve scent: a simmer pot, a drawer freshener and an herbal infusion. But the popular trick of putting bay leaves in your pantry to keep bugs away is a different story, because extension experts say there is no evidence it works.
The short answer: bay leaf can add a woodsy, herbal scent to a simmer pot or drawer sachet, and it makes a mild herbal tea if you strain out the leaf. Don’t count on it to keep pantry pests away, and don’t eat the whole leaf.
Here are three ways to use it, plus an honest look at the pantry trick.
Don’t intentionally eat whole bay leaves. They remain stiff and can have sharp edges that may cause choking or injury. A case report in the Canadian Journal of Surgery describes a swallowed bay leaf perforating a man’s bowel, and notes the traditional advice to remove bay leaves from food before serving. NC State Extension adds that the leaves are sharp, that large amounts of whole leaves can cause obstruction, and that sweet bay is a problem for cats, dogs and horses. Keep whole leaves, sachets and simmer pots out of pets’ reach.
Three bay leaf uses beyond cooking, and the pantry trick everyone talks about
These tips are for true bay leaf, the kind sold as Turkish or Mediterranean bay. Some other leaves sold as bay, such as Indian bay leaf, come from different plants and smell different.
1Make a simmer pot
A bay leaf adds a woodsy, herbal note that pairs well with citrus and warm spices. Try 2 or 3 bay leaves, a strip of orange peel, a cinnamon stick and a few cloves in a small pot with a few cups of water. Bring it to a gentle simmer, then turn the heat down low and top up the water as it drops. Our recipe for DIY simmer pots and stovetop potpourri has more combinations, and our 30 tips for keeping your kitchen smelling fresh covers other ways to freshen the room.
Treat it like any other cooking. The National Fire Protection Association says unattended cooking is the leading cause of kitchen fires. Never leave a simmer pot unattended, and don’t let the water boil away. Stay home while it simmers, check it often and set a timer. If you have pets, keep the pot out of their reach.
2Fill a drawer sachet
Dried bay leaves can add a mild herbal scent to a drawer or closet, and they’re an inexpensive freshener. Put 6 to 8 fully dry leaves in a small cloth pouch or tied square of muslin, and crush them slightly to release the aroma. Add a cinnamon stick or some dried lavender if you like. Tuck it into a drawer or a shoe, and replace the leaves when the scent fades.
Make sure the leaves are completely dry, or they can go musty in a closed drawer. Keep the pouch where pets and small children can’t reach it. Think of it as a freshener, not protection.
3Steep a cup of bay leaf tea
Bay leaf tea is a quiet, slightly herbal drink. For a simp
