Curry Recipes Online

Beginners Guide => Trainee Chefs / Beginners Questions => Topic started by: natterjak on March 15, 2011, 08:39 AM

Title: Indian bay leaves
Post by: natterjak on March 15, 2011, 08:39 AM

Hi all,

I'm trying to source indian bay leaves for a recipe.  I'm assuming any bay leaves sold in a UK supermarket will not be Indian ones and that indian bay leaves are distinct in some way.

Looking at the spicesofindia.co.uk website I can find these:  Rajah Brand Bay Leaves (http://www.spicesofindia.co.uk/acatalog/Indian-Food-Rajah-Bay-Leaves-Tejpata.html#aISW002) 
....but there's nothing to tell me they are indian bay leaves, in fact the description says they're mediterranean bay leaves. 

So (a) would the Rajah bay leaves be indian ones, (b) does it even matter and (c) where can I source indian bay leaves if not from the SOI website?

All a bit confusing really!

Title: Re: Indian bay leaves
Post by: Peripatetic Phil on March 15, 2011, 08:43 AM

I have some genuine Indian bay leaves in front of me as I write, and the one significant thing that you can see immediately is that they have three distinct veins, dividing the leaves longitudinally into four approximately equal parts.  Mine are packed by TRS; those in the photograph by Rajah appear to have only a single vein.

** Phil.

Title: Re: Indian bay leaves
Post by: natterjak on March 15, 2011, 08:45 AM

Thanks Phil, so it seems the Rajah brand (and the others on the SOI website) are not indian bay leaves, a bit strange for a website specialising in Indian spices.  I shall have to continue my hunt for the genuine article.

Title: Re: Indian bay leaves
Post by: Peripatetic Phil on March 15, 2011, 09:14 AM

This article (http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/ingredients-herbs/ingredient-spotlight-indian-bay-leaf-099772) is very informative.
** Phil.

Title: Re: Indian bay leaves
Post by: natterjak on March 15, 2011, 09:21 AM

Thanks Phil, that gives me some background info to go on.

Title: Re: Indian bay leaves
Post by: Malc. on March 15, 2011, 09:25 AM

Quote from: Phil (Chaa006) on March 15, 2011, 09:14 AM

This article (http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/ingredients-herbs/ingredient-spotlight-indian-bay-leaf-099772) is very informative.
** Phil.

Interesting link,"The intensely sweet cinnamon aroma convinced us to take a bag home".

I would never have said that about the bag of Asian Bay I picked up recently.

Title: Re: Indian bay leaves
Post by: Peripatetic Phil on March 15, 2011, 09:31 AM

They are available online here (http://www.theasiancookshop.co.uk/tej-patta-bay-leaves-indian---cassia-leaves-tejpat-2178-p.asp).

Title: Re: Indian bay leaves
Post by: martinvic on March 15, 2011, 01:40 PM

I presume these are the correct type, well judging by the picture anyway?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280606424973&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280606424973&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT)

Title: Re: Indian bay leaves
Post by: Malc. on March 15, 2011, 01:53 PM

Yes Martin, they are correct. It is the distinct pattern of 3 veins that tells them apart, as Phil pointed out.

Title: Re: Indian bay leaves
Post by: natterjak on March 15, 2011, 02:59 PM

Thanks Martin, 100g of bay leaves would last me a very long time I think.  I'll look around and see if I can find a smaller pack.

Title: Re: Indian bay leaves
Post by: Cory Ander on March 15, 2011, 03:21 PM

..or, maybe, even check here: http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=2208.0 (http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=2208.0)

 ::)

Title: Re: Indian bay leaves
Post by: natterjak on March 15, 2011, 04:13 PM

Thanks for your reply Cory, not sure why the rolled eyes smiley though?

Title: Re: Indian bay leaves
Post by: artistpaul on March 15, 2011, 06:44 PM

You can buy small packs on Ebay easily

Paul

Title: Re: Indian bay leaves
Post by: martinvic on March 15, 2011, 07:14 PM

Quote from: artistpaul on March 15, 2011, 06:44 PM

You can buy small packs on Ebay easily

Paul

Sorry Paul, but I'd like to know where?

The ones I listed were the only Indian/Cassia Bay leaves I could find on there. :-\




Natterjak - I've asked another seller on there, who I buy quite a bit from, if he can get hold of them. I'll let you know.

If not I may buy the ones listed, and if all goes ok and you still need some, we could go halves and I'd post them to you.

Martin

Title: Re: Indian bay leaves
Post by: natterjak on March 15, 2011, 07:18 PM

Cheers Martin, let me know how that works out?

Title: Re: Indian bay leaves
Post by: artistpaul on March 16, 2011, 07:07 PM

Martin

Log onto ebay uk and type this item number in any search box 280606424973


Or click this link

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BAY-LEAVES-100G-/280606424973?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Food_SM&hash=item4155723f8d#ht_500wt_922 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BAY-LEAVES-100G-/280606424973?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Food_SM&hash=item4155723f8d#ht_500wt_922)

Hope that sorts you

Paul

Title: Re: Indian bay leaves
Post by: martinvic on March 17, 2011, 01:03 AM

Hi Paul

Thanks for the link, buuuut that is the same ones that I posted the link to myself earlier in this thread. ;)
I believe they are the only ones on ebay at the moment too, so none in small packs.

Do appreciate you going to the trouble of trying to help out though.




natterjack - have ordered some of them so will let you know when they arrive.
If you've got some by then and don't need them, no problem at all.

Cheers
Martin

Title: Re: Indian bay leaves
Post by: currymonster on March 21, 2011, 01:49 PM

I was just looking for something else and came across this info which may be useful:

"Both Malbathrum (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malabathrum) and Bay Leaf (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bay_Leaf) are similar and called as Tej Patta in Hindi. however, they are from two different families with difference in taste"

Title: Re: Indian bay leaves
Post by: martinvic on March 24, 2011, 03:00 PM

Quote from: natterjak on March 15, 2011, 07:18 PM

Cheers Martin, let me know how that works out?

Hi natterjack

Just PM'd you.

Martin

Title: Re: Indian bay leaves
Post by: martinvic on March 26, 2011, 05:21 PM

Well that's natterjack sorted. ;)

If any one else would like some, it works out to ?1.48 posted 1st class for 25g.

Just PM me.

Cheers
Martin