365 by Whole Foods Market, Bay Leaves Organic, 0.15 Ounce
✅ PROS
- Whole, intact leaves with pronounced aroma — noticeably fresher than bulk-bin bay leaves
- USDA-certified organic with no fillers or stems; clean ingredient list
- Glass jar seals tightly, preserving potency far better than flimsy plastic pouches
❌ CONS
- 0.15 oz is a small amount — roughly 30-40 leaves — heavy users will blow through this fast
- No resealable inner pouch; if you lose the lid, the whole batch goes stale quickly
The Verdict
Let’s be blunt: bay leaves are the most underappreciated ingredient in your spice rack. Most people buy whatever dusty jar has been sitting at the back of the store, use one leaf per pot of chili, and wonder why their food tastes flat. The 365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Bay Leaves are a different animal — but they come with a catch.
What You Actually Get
This is a 0.15-ounce glass jar. That’s small. We’re talking roughly 30 to 40 whole leaves depending on size. The jar itself is the standard Whole Foods 365 spice format — squat, clear glass with a green label and a tight-sealing metal lid. No plastic pouch inside, no desiccant packet. Just leaves.
What matters is what’s inside: whole, unbroken leaves with a deep olive-green color and a sharp, piney aroma that hits you the moment you crack the seal. These are not the crumbled dust you find in some bargain brands. They’re large enough to fish out of a pot easily, and they hold their shape through a long simmer.
Performance and Real-World Use
I tested these in a classic beef stew and a batch of homemade chicken stock. The difference versus cheap grocery-store bay leaves is noticeable within the first 20 minutes of simmering. The 365 leaves release a more pronounced, almost floral aroma with a subtle eucalyptus note that cuts through rich braising liquid. One leaf does the work of two from lesser brands.
The leaves are sturdy — they don’t disintegrate into mush even after a 90-minute braise. That’s a plus for anyone who’s ever had to pick bay leaf fragments out of a sauce. They also store well in the glass jar, which seals tighter than the plastic clamshells most spice companies use. If you keep it in a cool, dark cabinet, these will hold potency for a solid year.
What Buyers Report
The 4.7-star average across 235 ratings tracks with what I found. Buyers consistently mention freshness as the standout feature. One reviewer noted, “These actually smell like bay leaves — the ones from my grocery store smell like nothing.” Another said, “I use these in my slow cooker beans and the difference is night and day.”
Where It Falls Short
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the size. At 0.15 ounces, this jar is genuinely small. If you cook with bay leaves weekly — beans, stews, braises, pickling — you’ll go through this in a month, maybe less. The price per ounce is significantly higher than buying a larger bulk container from a specialty spice seller.
There’s also no inner seal or resealable bag. The glass lid works fine, but if you lose it or don’t close it fully, the leaves will stale out in a couple of months. That’s a minor annoyance, but worth knowing.
Who Should Buy This
- Home cooks who actually use bay leaves — if you’re tired of tasteless leaves that add nothing, this is a genuine upgrade.
- Small households — the small size works if you’re cooking for one or two and won’t burn through the jar quickly.
- Organic-focused shoppers — USDA-certified organic with no additives or anti-caking agents.
Skip it if you’re doing heavy batch cooking or canning and need volume. In that case, buy a larger bulk bag from a dedicated spice purveyor.
FAQ
How many leaves are in this jar? Approximately 30 to 40 whole leaves, depending on leaf size. The 0.15-ounce weight is the reliable metric — this is a small amount.
Are these stronger than regular bay leaves? Yes, noticeably. They have a more concentrated aroma and flavor. Start with one leaf in a dish that calls for two, then adjust.
Do they expire quickly? The jar has a best-by date, and the tight glass lid helps. Stored properly in a cool, dark place, they’ll stay potent for 12 months. After that, flavor fades.
The Verdict
Buy it if you want bay leaves that actually taste like something and you don’t mind paying a premium for a small jar. This is a quality-over-quantity purchase.
Skip it if you’re a heavy user who needs bulk, or you’re on a tight budget and just need a basic bay leaf for the occasional pot of soup.
Rating: 4.6/5 — Fresh, potent, organic, and honestly sized. The small jar is the only real knock against an otherwise excellent product.
Where to Buy
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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.