Kaffir Lime | Citrus Hystrix

Common Name and Occurrence:

Kaffir Lime or Citrus hystrix or Citrus amblycarpa belongs is a type of lime native to Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia  It is popularly known as makrut in Thailand and limau parut in some regions of Southeast Asia.

Everyone at some point in their gastronomic adventures has eaten Thai red curry or the green one; sipped on the spicy Tom Yum and the Tom Kha soups and wondered what is it that makes these dishes so zesty and flavorful? It’s the lime leaves in the food that lends them that distinct flavor typical of the Southeast Asian cuisine.

Parts Used:

Kaffir Lime has a bumpy fruit with a rough skin  Open it and it resembles a sweet lime, except that it’s not so sweet  Bitter in taste, it is often pickled in particular Indian cultures  The kaffir lime leaf is a typical double leaf joined such that the lower part of the leaf is oval and the upper part resembles a heart shape  The leaf when fresh is shiny in appearance and is replete with essential oils.

Apart from culinary uses for which most people know this plant, it has other uses which make it a regular in most Thai homes and backyards  In popular Thai culture, this plant is known to cleanse the mind and the body and ward off evil spirit, which explains every house having one!

The fruit is not as extensively used as are the leaves  However, the juice of the fruit is good for healthy gums  It has bleaching properties and when mixed with detergent can fight the toughest stains  The rind of the fruit is used in many digestive tonics and blood purifiers.

Benefits And Medicinal Uses Of Kaffir Lime:

The leaves however are the richest part of the plant  They are easy to store since they can be frozen for many months without losing flavor  Just one or two are enough to flavor a pot full of soup  The leaves can be rubbed on to gums and teeth for total dental health  The essential oil in the leaves is extracted and used for various purposes  It is a used in many bath products such as soaps and shampoos  The oil is a great hair and scalp cleanser  The aroma of the leaves is rejuvenating; add a few drops of oil or a few crushed leaves to your bath and you will feel your negative thoughts ease away  It is believed to have a positive effect on the mind and the body and leaves one with positive thoughts  The oil is also infused in deodorants and body sprays for that extra zing  The oil is also used in tonics which aid in digestion and purify the blood  Air fresheners with the kaffir lime aroma freshen up rooms and give a feeling of a freshly cleaned room.

Great in taste and abounding in various benefits, this plant is a great choice for your backyard and if you don’t have a backyard, reserve some room for the leaves in your refrigerator.