Turkish Bay Tree

Türk Defnesi is an agricultural product derived from the Laurus nobilis L. (Mediterranean bay laurel) plant, a member of the Lauraceae family, which remains evergreen and naturally grows along the coastal regions of Türkiye. The product is marketed in three forms: fresh and dried leaves, essential oil, and fixed oil extracted from the fruit. Türk Defnesi was registered as a "Geographical Indication" by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office on 18.08.2021 under Law No. 6769 on Industrial Property.

Türk Defnesi is evaluated in the forms of fresh and dried leaves, essential oil, and fixed oil. The leaves and fruits obtained from the Laurus nobilis plant are used in various sectors including food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and cleaning.

• The plant reaches a height of 2–18 m, has a rounded crown, dense branching, and is dioecious (male and female flowers on separate plants).
• Leaves are narrowly elliptical, 5–10 cm long and 2–3 cm wide; upper surface is glossy dark green with wavy margins.
• Fruits are olive-sized, turning dark purple upon ripening, and measure 2–3 cm in length.
• Fresh leaves have a mild aromatic scent; dried leaves possess a soft aroma.
• Leaves contain more than 1% essential oil.

1. Hand-pick: Intact, vibrant color, free of debris and spots.
2. Hand-select: Color preserved, free of debris, size not critical.
3. Semi-select: Color altered but disease-free, free of debris.
4. FAQ: Fragmented but disease-free.
5. Ground Leaf: Ground into spice form, finely fragmented leaves.

In dried leaves, moisture content must not exceed 8%, broken leaf percentage must not exceed 15%, and spotted leaf percentage must not exceed 10%. The dried material must contain at least 1% essential oil.

• Oil yield: 0.9–2.7% (on dry basis)
• Main components: 1,8-Cineole (37–52%), α-Terpinyl Acetate (7–15%), Sabinene, 4-Terpineol, Linalool
• Distinguishing component: Spathulenol

• Oil yield: 6.3–17.3% (on dry basis)
• Major components: Oleic acid, Linoleic acid, Palmitic acid, Lauric acid, Stearic acid
• Acid value: 6.23–11.22 mgKOH/g
• Saponification value: 126.89–215.88 mgKOH/g

• Shoots aged 2–3 years are cut using pruning shears outside the vegetative period.
• Leaves are transported in bunches to prevent browning.

^{Defne Hasadı} (AA)

• Drying is carried out in shaded or semi-shaded areas under covered drying racks.
• Layer thickness must not exceed 10–15 cm.
• Dried leaves are manually stripped from stems and collected for storage once they reach 8% moisture content.

^{Defne Yaprağının Depolanması} (AA)

• Leaves are processed by steam distillation. Alternative methods such as microwave-assisted extraction may also be applied.

• Ripe fruits are boiled in water, crushed, and strained. Oil is collected from the surface. Alternatively, cold pressing may be used.

The geographical area includes the provinces of Adana, Antalya, Aydın, Balıkesir, Bartın, Bursa, Çanakkale, Düzce, Giresun, Hatay, İstanbul, İzmir, Kahramanmaraş, Kastamonu, Kocaeli, Mersin, Muğla, Ordu, Rize, Sakarya, Samsun, Sinop, Tekirdağ, Trabzon, Yalova, and Zonguldak.