Bay leaves a versatile herb that can be used in a number of dishes to add flavour and aroma. If you are searching for bay leaves in grocery store then simply check out the article below. It contains a list of sections and aisles where bay leaves are usually placed. For convenience purposes, a list of stores that usually sell bay leaves is indicated so you can always buy from there.
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What Are Bay Leaves?
Bay leaves are a type of herb derived from the bay laurel plant that grows well in warm climates. They can be found in 2 varieties namely the Turkish or Mediterranean bay leaves and the California bay leaves. Bay leaves can be sold either as fresh leaves or dried leaves and they are used for culinary purposes.
Which Aisle Or Section To Find Bay Leaves In Grocery Store
The first place where you can find bay leaves in grocery store is at the produce section. In this section, bay leaves will be placed close to herbs like basil and cilantro so you have to look closely.
If you do not find fresh bay leaves in the above stated area then you might have to opt for the dried version. Dried bay leaves can be found in the spice section in grocery store.
If your store has a bulk area then you will be able to find dried bay leaves in this section of the grocery store.
The last place where you can check for bay leaves in grocery store is at the International aisle. This is because some grocery stores perceive bay leaves as a Mediterranean herb.
What Grocery Stores Sell Bay Leaves
Amazon– sometimes Amazon offers fresh bay leaves but, if they are not available you can resort to buying dried bay leaves as they are always readily available. The advantage of buying on Amazon is that you do not have to go through the trouble of physically visiting grocery stores since it is an online store.
Walmart– you can find bay leaves in the spice aisle at Walmart, they usually have brands like Great Value, Loma Vista and McCormick. If you do not know any Walmart store in your area then simply use their online store locater to find the nearest grocery store that has bay leaves.
Farmer’s market– if it’s the season for bay leaves then you will definitely find fresh bay leaves at your nearest farmers market.
Whole foods– you can find bay leaves at Whole foods market. They are usually placed in the spice section and in the bulk section.
Trader Joe’s– they have their own store brand of dried bay leaves which you can try out.
Kroger– you can find bay leaves at Kroger, they are usually placed in the spice aisle or in the international aisle.
Publix– if there is a Publix store in your area then this is the best place to buy bay leaves. They usually have fresh bay leaves in the produce section and dried bay leaves in the spice aisle.
Ethnic Markets– you can find bay leaves at Ethnic markets so you can always buy from there.
King Soopers– you can find bay leaves at King Soopers so make sure you check the spice aisle.
Piggly Wiggly– if there is a Piggly Wiggly store in your area you can buy dried bay leaves from there because they usually have them in store.
Target– if there is a Target store in your area then you can always find bay leaves in the spice section. Some of the popular brands they carry include Badia, Simply Balanced and Market Pantry.
Wegmans– you can buy bay leaves at Wegmans, they usually have them at the spice section.
Vons– bay leaves can be found at Vons and they usually have different brands and varieties to choose from.
Hannaford– you can find bay leaves at Hannaford, they usually have the dried version.
Ralphs– at Ralphs you can find bay leaves. They usually have bay leaves from brands like Simply Organic and Spice Islands but, you might be lucky enough to come across other brands.
Fred Meyer– you can find bay leaves from Fred Meyer so you can always buy from there.
Meijer– dried bay leaves can be found at Meijer you can also check their produce area to see if they have fresh bay leaves in stock.
Local Health Food store– if there is a local health food store in your area there is a good chance that they have bay leaves as they are regarded as a healthy herb.
Safeway– you can find fresh bay leaves at the produce section at Safeway, they also sell dried bay leaves in the spice aisle.
How To Store Bay Leaves
Fresh bay leaves need to be placed in a zip-top bag and then stored in the refrigerator. Fresh bay leaves stored using this method will last for about a week in the refrigerator so you need to use them before they turn bad. On the other hand, dried bay leaves need to be stored in a cool, dry area, away from direct sunlight. When dried bay leaves are stored using this method they can last for up to 2 years before they start losing their aroma.
Is There A Substitute For Bay Leaves?
Yes there is a substitute for bay leaves which is either dried oregano or dried thyme. So if you have a recipe that requires you to use bay leaves but you simply cannot find then in your pantry you can always replace it with ¼ teaspoon of either oregano or thyme. Be careful not to add more than a ¼ teaspoon as these 2 herbs have a pungent flavor that can easily overpower the flavors of your dish.
Conclusion
Finding bay leaves is an easy task especially when you follow the store guide above. It is worth mentioning that most of the stores in this article have online shopping platforms so you can easily purchase bay leaves from the comfort of your house.
