Eli5: Why are bay leaves used whole, when every other spice is chopped or ground up?

Question

Eli5: Why are bay leaves used whole, when every other spice is chopped or ground up?

In: 4471

Answer 1

The leaves are rough and can give you micro cuts in your throat is the short version

This problem is even bigger when dried , fresh bay leaves are ok to eat but still kind of unpleasant because they are very fibrous