California bay laurel is like the bold sibling of the more familiar culinary bay. It opens with a distinctive peppery kick and then fades into hints of eucalyptus and a subtle sweetness. The evergreen bay tree thrives in the diverse ecosystems of the western United States, from coastal woodlands to interior mountain ranges. It provides dense shade and thus a welcome respite from the region’s often dry hills. We love harvesting bay, as it gives us an excuse to leave the city, run our hands through the aromatic branches, and soak in the pleasure of working in nature. It is particularly fun in fall, when the branches become covered with fruit that look like miniature avocados - not surprising as they are in the same laurel family. They are an intense bite, but we cannot help ourselves when harvesting.
