Bay leaves give stews, soups and stock a rich, woody flavor. Each jar has a dozen leaves so it lasts a long time. You might also wonder: Do bay leaves go bad?
Perhaps you’ve noticed that your soups have lost their richness and aroma. However, the recipes and ingredients you use remain the same. It could be the spices.
It turns out that the bay leaves in your spice drawer have been there for more than a year. You might be wondering how long bay leaves can last.
This article will help you if any of these sounds familiar. It covers storage ( hint - it’s not always the spice drawer), shelf lives, and the deterioration of bay leaves. Read on to find out more about this spice.
How to store bay leaves
Similar to other dried products like cinnamon or chili powder, dried bay leaves can draw moisture from the environment. They should be kept dry and sealed tightly. Bay leaves are often packaged in small sealed glass jars to keep moisture out.
Tip: Bay leaves that come in paper packaging should be transferred to a small freezer bag/jar after being opened.
Similar to other herbs, the leaves should not be exposed to heat or light as they can weaken their aroma. The leaves should be kept in a dark and cool place .
Yet, we haven’t discussed where exactly that bag of bay leaves or jar should go. It should be in the spice drawer, according to common sense. That is certainly an option. bay leaves can lose their potency and flavor quickly when left at room temperature. You might notice a loss of aroma after only a few weeks from opening the package. It’s okay. You can always add more leaves to your dish and it should still smell good.
However, there is a better way to store bay leaves: the freezer. According this Cook’s Illustrated article bay leaves lose more potency when they are frozen. If you want to preserve the bay leaf flavor for longer, place them in a freezer bag and seal it.
Tip: You don’t need to freeze the leaves before you cook them. Simply add them into the prepared dish.
If space is not an issue in your household, you can freeze the bay leaves. If you don’t have enough space, freeze the bay leaves.
How long do bay leaves last?
Bay leaves should be kept in your spice drawer for at least 2 to 3 months. This will ensure that they retain their best flavor. To get the same results if you keep them longer, add more leaves.
The flavor of the leaves should remain at its peak for more than a year if you freeze them. If you notice they are not as fragrant as they once were, add more leaves.
How to tell if bay leaves are bad
Bay leaves will not go bad if water doesn’t get to them. If you find moldy signs, it means that water got in the package. The leaves should be thrown away.
You should not store leaves at room temperature too long. They might dry out and become small pieces. They are no good and should be thrown out when this happens.
Last, but not least, bay leaf gradually lose potency. This process will be much quicker if the herbs are kept at room temperature. You can test the quality of the leaves by rubbing them with your fingers and then smelling them. Throw them out if the aroma is not evident. To get the desired flavor and depth, use more bay leaves if it is weak.
