Bay leaves for evergreen trees, up to 9-12m tall, bark black brown. Leaves alternate, leathery, long elliptic or lanceolate, ca. 6 -- 11 x 2 -- 4cm, apex acute, base cuneate, entire or slightly undulate, backrolled, dark green, fragrant after crushing; Leaf veins pinnate, both surfaces raised; Petiole ca. 1cm long, purple. Umbel axillary, dioecious; Flowers small, 3-4mm in diam., yellow, pedicels ca. 1cm long, pedicels with involucre; Male perianth segments 4, obovate, apex obtuse; Stamens 12, 3 in each wheel, anthers inward petal split; Female flowers: perianth 4, pistil 1, ovary 1-loculate, stigma short, slightly capitate. Berry oval, dark purple. Flowering is in April.5. You can also garnish your soup with bay leaves. 4. Sprinkle mashed bay leaves over meat as garnish while serving. One teaspoon of bay leaf powder equals one whole bay leaf. 3. Mash a bay leaf in a small bowl with the back of a spoon. You can also use bay leaf powder instead. Mix the other spices in a bowl. Sprinkle the meat with mashed bay leaves and spices. You can also rub them into the meat with your fingers. 2. Soups, stews and sauces Cut a piece of gauze twice the size of the bay leaf. Spread bay leaves and other herbs on the gauze. Fold the gauze along the bay leaf and tie with string. Add the leaves to the dish and cook. Remove just before serving. How to eat bay leaves? 1. Bay Leaf liqueur How to do it: Dissolve the sugar in boiling water first. When the sugar water is cold, put the sugar water and other ingredients into an airtight glass bottle, cover tightly, and leave for a month, shaking frequently during this period. After 1 month, strain the wine into a dark glass bottle, plug it tightly with a cork and seal it with wax. Store for 4 months before opening the bottle and drinking.