McCormick® Bay Leaves have a tea-like flavor and minty aroma that bring depth to slow-cooked dishes. They are indispensable to most cuisines, especially French, Mediterranean and Indian, where they add robust flavor to meat and vegetable dishes, soups and sauces. We hand-select our bay leaves from the bay tree, a member of the laurel family. Bay Leaves release their flavor slowly, so add them at the beginning of the cooking time. Just be sure to remove before serving. Prized for their savory taste, bay leaves are a must-have herb for roast chicken or turkey, pot roast and stews. They enrich bean dishes, Italian tomato sauces, pickling liquids and marinades. When preparing mashed potatoes, add 2 bay leaves to the cooking water.