It is my favourite “bush” tea. Bay leaf tea. If the word bush scares you, let me use a different word, and say the same thing. It is my favourite herbal tea. While there are many varieties, I am speaking of the West Indian bay leaf known scientifically as Pimenta Racemosa. The bouquet of this bay leaf is soothing and calming with notes of cinnamon, citrus, and cardamom. It’s the cup of tea with which you want to start and end your day. It is precisely for this reason that I ensure that I bag my bay leaves. For a cuppa at any time.
Bay leaf trees are in abundance all across Barbados. They tower above houses and have branches at hand-reach. This evergreen tree is always full of fragrant leaves in various shapes, sizes and aroma. When I first moved here, I bought some bay leaves (at the market) and excitedly told a friend about my market find. Man, the expression on her face suggested that there might be something mentally wrong with me (lol). You see, here in Barbados, friends don’t let friends buy bay leaves. I am sandwiched between neighbours that have bay leaf trees, so fortunately, I do not have to buy bay leaves.