Whats the difference between Turkish bay leaves and California bay leaves?
They are different species of the laurel family. Turkish bay leaves, laurus nobilis, also known as Mediterranean bay leaves, or sweet bay, are the same variety the Ancient Greeks used to crown Olympic victors. Flat and oval shaped, they are prized culinarily for their sweet and mellow flavor. They now also cost more than their more plebian brethren. California bay leaves, umbellularia californica, are also known as mountain laurel, Oregon myrtle, and pepperwood. They are longer, skinnier, have a stronger flavor, and are more widely sold as bay leaves.
