The common juniper is a branching, evergreen, coniferous shrub from 9 to 12 m (30 to 40 ft) tall. The needles are arranged in whorls of three and are usually 1 to 2 cm long and 1 to 2 mm wide. The juniper is a dioecious species, i.e. individual shrubs bear only male, or only female flowers.
Nowadays, due apparently to intensive forestry practices, extensive use of pesticides and fungicides, and last but not least environmental pollution, the orange milk-cup is hard to find and in all probability the day is not far off when it will become extinct. Unless we learn to cultivate it before then, we shall be deprived forever of its inimitable flavour and aroma, which is even more powerful when pickled in vinegar. It is not suitable for drying.
The poet's or wreath laurel is an evergreen tree native to the Mediterranean where it occurs as a relic of the Tertiary flora. It has simple, leathery leaves in the axils of which grow bunches of whitish flowers from which develop blue-black berries.
It may, however, also be used for marinating fish, with fatty meats, and to disguise the odour of cabbage or beets.
Nowadays laurel is grown not only in the Mediterranean countries but also in many other parts of Europe. Two-year-old leaves (1), up to 10 cm (4 in) long and 3 cm (1 in) wide, arc harvested in the autumn and dried in thin layers in shade to preserve their characteristic aroma and flavour.
This pleasant, slightly hitter flavour is due to the presence of an essential oil containing pinenc, eugenol and einem. Good quality hay leaves should be without stalks and the blades should be pale green, not greyish or dark brown. Laurel is a great herb to grow in your garden. It can be used as a spice to add taste to your food. It is also a decorative herb to grow in the garden.
Nowadays, due apparently to intensive forestry practices, extensive use of pesticides and fungicides, and last but not least environmental pollution, the orange milk-cup is hard to find and in all probability the day is not far off when it will become extinct. Unless we learn to cultivate it before then, we shall be deprived forever of its inimitable flavour and aroma, which is even more powerful when pickled in vinegar. It is not suitable for drying.
The poet's or wreath laurel is an evergreen tree native to the Mediterranean where it occurs as a relic of the Tertiary flora. It has simple, leathery leaves in the axils of which grow bunches of whitish flowers from which develop blue-black berries.
It may, however, also be used for marinating fish, with fatty meats, and to disguise the odour of cabbage or beets.
Nowadays laurel is grown not only in the Mediterranean countries but also in many other parts of Europe. Two-year-old leaves (1), up to 10 cm (4 in) long and 3 cm (1 in) wide, arc harvested in the autumn and dried in thin layers in shade to preserve their characteristic aroma and flavour.
This pleasant, slightly hitter flavour is due to the presence of an essential oil containing pinenc, eugenol and einem. Good quality hay leaves should be without stalks and the blades should be pale green, not greyish or dark brown. Laurel is a great herb to grow in your garden. It can be used as a spice to add taste to your food. It is also a decorative herb to grow in the garden.
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