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

Bay leaves aren’t the only whole ones. If a seasoning is put in whole, it is because you are meant to remove it before eating. If you chop it up or grind it, then it is meant to become part of the food and be eaten.

Bay leaves add a nice flavor but are unpleasant to eat because they are tough and hard.

Think about a tea bag – You dunk it in water but you don’t drink the bag or the tea leaves. You just let the water get the flavoring. Bay leaves work the same way.