Laurel is also called "Laurel" or "Poets' Tree", it has been known for centuries in cooking and herbal medicine. Its dried leaves are used both to flavor dishes and as an infusion. An infusion based on bay leaves helps digestion: it avoids annoying fermentations, fights stomach discomfort and loss of appetite. Very useful in the kitchen for flavoring potatoes, stews and second courses such as white meat stew.
For extreme heat, try the Carolina Reaper, a fiery delight from South Carolina. It is a new hybrid of the Capsicum Chinense family, obtained by crossing two species of strongly spicy chili peppers, the Pakistani Naga Morich and a Red Habanero. One of the strongest chili peppers in terms of heat, to be carefully sipped for an intense and rather strong flavor in your dishes.
