Native to India (and totally unrelated to curry powder) curry leaves are glossy, pointy, almond-shaped pinnate leaves with a complex citrus flavor often described as reminiscent of lemongrass, anise, and asafetida—but none of these comparisons do it justice. You have to taste and smell a curry leaf to grasp its essence. Known to have medicinal properties, they are used in other parts of Asia as well, including Sri Lanka and Malaysia.
