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safety of bay leaf powder

post #1 of 12
2/19/10 at 2:28pm
Thread Starter 
I'm trying out a recipe that calls for grinding several spices together before adding them to a marinade.  One of the ingredients is bay leaf.  Now I remember from a past discussion that bay leaves are very dangerous to eat because of the sharp edges and their possible effect on the intestines (at least that's how I remember it).  However, is there any problem or danger with using bay that has been thoroughly ground up?
Emily

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post #2 of 12
2/19/10 at 3:57pm
I always thought that was a myth. I think bay is perfectly okay to eat.
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post #3 of 12
2/19/10 at 4:00pm
Bay leaves are not digestable by the body, they do not break down. They are made to enhance flavor, and  then take out, not to eat.
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post #4 of 12
2/19/10 at 4:07pm
Ed, if you don't mind me asking, where did you learn that? I've always heard speculation about this topic but I've always known / thought bay is okay for the body.
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post #5 of 12
2/19/10 at 4:13pm
You can buy pre-ground bay leaf and its fine to eat. Doesn't hold it's flavor very long though. As long as it's ground up well, you'll be fine.
more than taste fine
me eat it all the time
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post #6 of 12
2/19/10 at 5:24pm
I would tend to agree it's fine.  Fine ground - where's the problem?  Many things our body can't digest, but they won't kill us.  Fibre for one....it just help .our body keep "going" :D

If you can put whole bay leaves in a stew/casserole/soup etc, I prefer it that way.  Lucky person at the table gets the one you missed taking out.  Have never used ground dried bay leaves, but I would if I could be bothered.  I just puit the whole leaf in.  And count how many leaves - so I can make sure I get all the l'il fellows outta there.
 Don't handicap your children by making their lives easy.
Robert A. Heinlein
 
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post #7 of 12
2/19/10 at 7:41pm
There are forcemeats and similar things that need ground bay. 

And seasonings. Doesn't Old Bay have ground bay leaves in it?
more than taste fine
me eat it all the time
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post #8 of 12
2/19/10 at 8:56pm
I grind bay leaves for use in BBQ rubs. Never had issues eating the powder but it is best fresh ground.
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post #9 of 12
2/19/10 at 10:05pm
One Indian place I worked at blended sauces with all the herbs and spices in them whole, including bay leaves.  I started doing that for various soups and found that it gives it an interesting depth of flavour.  If you can buy bay leaves preground then they shouldn't be a danger to eat in moderation.
"If it's chicken, chicken a la king. If it's fish, fish a la king. If it's turkey, fish a la king." -Bender
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post #10 of 12
2/20/10 at 2:28pm
It is ok to eat in a pulverized state , but in a whole state could reac havoc in your intestines as the leaf does not break down.
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post #11 of 12
2/20/10 at 2:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ED BUCHANAN View Post

It is ok to eat in a pulverized state , but in a whole state could reac havoc in your intestines as the leaf does not break down.

Just chew 20 times, as your mother or other told you   Large grain of salt here...I'm kidding.  Grind it.  Enjoy.
 Don't handicap your children by making their lives easy.
Robert A. Heinlein
 
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post #12 of 12
2/20/10 at 3:55pm
Thread Starter 
Thank you all.  I ground it and I'm still alive
Emily

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