Is curry leaf a herb?

[grouie]

I have curry leaves saplings spread all over our garden with two full grown trees too. We use them in various forms including making a paste adding other herbs and some other ingredients and have it in our dail meal.
Lots is said about the goodness of curry leaves but I am not sure if it comes under the 'herbs' category.

 

[zigs]

If it's used for flavouring then I guess it is a herb

 

[Beth_B]

If it's used for flavouring then I guess it is a herb

Well, salt and soy sauce are used for flavouring, but they are not herbs.
Curry is not an herb, it's a tree, in the strictly botanical definition. But broadly speaking, since it's a plant used for flavor and seasoning, it is indeed a herb.

Obviously curry doesn't grow here in Michigan but I have an Indian client who has a sun room and grows a couple of curry trees there in big containers, strictly for cooking. I sometimes cook Indian meals and a local Indian grocery store sells fresh leaves, about a dollar for one meal's worth. I thought about growing one, but they apparently need tons of light. @grouie, I never knew they could get so large! Pretty, too.

 

[grouie]

Well, salt and soy sauce are used for flavouring, but they are not herbs.
Curry is not an herb, it's a tree, in the strictly botanical definition. But broadly speaking, since it's a plant used for flavor and seasoning, it is indeed a herb.

Obviously curry doesn't grow here in Michigan but I have an Indian client who has a sun room and grows a couple of curry trees there in big containers, strictly for cooking. I sometimes cook Indian meals and a local Indian grocery store sells fresh leaves, about a dollar for one meal's worth. I thought about growing one, but they apparently need tons of light. @grouie, I never knew they could get so large! Pretty, too.

I could say I am cursed with a bumper of everything with no takers, in our garden

 

[Beth_B]

I could say I am cursed with a bumper of everything with no takers, in our garden

If I were your neighbor, I'd be over at your house to take curry leaves, elephant poop and whatever else, every few days.
The only reliably sunny area on my property is my front yard and that is where my vegetables get planted. My favourite neighbors know they can pick a few of whatever they like as they please.

 

[grouie]

If I were your neighbor, I'd be over at your house to take curry leaves, elephant poop and whatever else, every few days.
The only reliably sunny area on my property is my front yard and that is where my vegetables get planted. My favourite neighbors know they can pick a few of whatever they like as they please.[/QUOTE

That elephant comes around may be once in a year and so sorry cannot help you with the elephant poop
Most who surround me are those who think cooking at home is old fashioned. Fast food is what they think is in.
Sad but true.

 

[Bootsy]

Well, salt and soy sauce are used for flavouring, but they are not herbs.
Curry is not an herb, it's a tree, in the strictly botanical definition. But broadly speaking, since it's a plant used for flavor and seasoning, it is indeed a herb.

I agree with Beth that, as it's used for flavouring, it's a herb.

My Bay is a tree (25ft high) and that is definitely a herb.

Salt is an ionic compound and soy is an extract.

@grouie The curry leaves that I buy don't look like your plant. Mine look more like Methi (Fenugreek) leaves when they're divided from being three joined leaves.

 

[grouie]

I agree with Beth that, as it's used for flavouring, it's a herb.

My Bay is a tree (25ft high) and that is definitely a herb.

Salt is an ionic compound and soy is an extract.

@grouie The curry leaves that I buy don't look like your plant. Mine look more like Methi (Fenugreek) leaves when they're divided from being three joined leaves.

How can methi look like curry leaves and vice versa Here is a closer view of the curry leaves

Image credit http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aesthetic_bunch_of_fenugreek_greens.jpg

 

[grouie]

Well, salt and soy sauce are used for flavouring, but they are not herbs.
Curry is not an herb, it's a tree, in the strictly botanical definition. But broadly speaking, since it's a plant used for flavor and seasoning, it is indeed a herb.

Obviously curry doesn't grow here in Michigan but I have an Indian client who has a sun room and grows a couple of curry trees there in big containers, strictly for cooking. I sometimes cook Indian meals and a local Indian grocery store sells fresh leaves, about a dollar for one meal's worth. I thought about growing one, but they apparently need tons of light. @grouie, I never knew they could get so large! Pretty, too.

It is not just for flavouring but is packed with goodness. Read this

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...fits-of-curry-leaves/articleshow/30904781.cms

 

[Bootsy]

Now that I can see your plant close up, I agree. We tend to get both leaves in dried form and they have been taken off their stems as individual leaves!

 

[grouie]

Now that I can see your plant close up, I agree. We tend to get both leaves in dried form and they have been taken off their stems as individual leaves!

Fenugreek is bitter. We use very tender seedlings and cook them adding potatoes and other ingredients. Even the roots are used.

 

[Trellum]

As far as I know the curry is a tree, but the leaves are used as herbs. If I were you I'd not think much about it, just enjoyb you got fresh curry leaves growing in your garden Not many people can truthfully say they do as well.

 

[Bootsy]

Not many people can truthfully say they do as well.

I agree

 

[grouie]

As far as I know the curry is a tree, but the leaves are used as herbs. If I were you I'd not think much about it, just enjoyb you got fresh curry leaves growing in your garden Not many people can truthfully say they do as well.

Just trying to learn

 

[Disha]

Curry leaves is a herb and is grown in india vastly they are added in indian and south indian dishes
It adds to the flavour while making vegetables and helps digestion in india none of the houses are without curry leaves its a very intigral part of our homes

Curry leaves have 2 varities 1 is used in cooking and 2nd variety is a bit different in shape which is bitter in taste bitter variety is used is making oil and used to keep the pest away

Bitter variety is also used to heal stomach problems juice of bitter curry leaves helps in digestion it is said that in summer when u have a juice u keep great health throughout a year bitter variety is said to absorb heat and so when a person is suffering from jaundice people keep these leaves around them to get healed faster bitter leaves keeps the flies away too many flower venders keep bitter leaves around them
Bitter leaves are sued to heal skin problems soak bitter curry leaves in water over or grind and kix with water and have bath with it heals skin